Description
This 100% plant-based, lemony herb “orzotto” (which is kind of like an orzo-based risotto!) with garlicky chickpeas is the perfect, anytime, one-dish meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 cup (185 grams) dry orzo, ideally whole-wheat
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil, divided
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (15.5-ounce/439-gram) can organic chickpeas, well-drained
- 2 large (10-ounce/285-gram each) zucchini, cubed, or veggie of choice
- 1 1/2 cups (227 grams) grape tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
- 1 1/4 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons (15 grams) nutritional yeast flakes
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (from 1 large lemon)
- 1/2 cup packed (12 grams) fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup packed (8 grams) fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 3 tablespoons pine nuts, pan-toasted (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in (salted) water according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, in an extra-large, deep cast iron skillet or a wok, fully heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, chickpeas, and zucchini and sauté until the zucchini and chickpeas are caramelized (golden brown), about 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper and sauté until the tomatoes are heated through, about 1 minute.
- Drain the orzo, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid. Add the cooked orzo and remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the chickpea-veggie mixture and stir to combine. Remove from heat. Add the nutritional yeast flakes, lemon zest, and desired amount of reserved orzo cooking liquid and stir to combine.
- Stir in the basil and mint, sprinkle with the pine nuts, if using, and serve.
Notes
Hint: For leftovers, try it as a cool salad as is–or with a squirt with juice from the lemon that you zested. Toss in some fresh baby arugula or kale, too. Then call it “vintage” cuisine instead of leftovers!
- Category: One-Dish Meal
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups each
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6g includes 0g added sugars
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 0mg