Asparagus Orzotto makes a lovely side dish for any spring meal, or a light meal by itself. Vibrant and fresh, the dish is done in less than 30 minutes.
Is it spring yet?!
(Updated post.) Well, it is on paper. But this is Wisconsin, after all, and the temperatures are still languishing in the 20s.
I am not a huge fan of hate winter, so spring can’t get here quickly enough.
Among my favorite “spring things” (in no particular order) are: 1) the first crocuses poking their fragile heads through the snow, 2) the emergence of my neighbors from hibernation, 3) the return of the outdoor Dane County Farmers’ Market, and 4) asparagus. #3 and #4 are closely intertwined because asparagus is one of the first items of produce to hit the stands at the farmers’ market.
And so, when I found myself staring at an uncharacteristically gorgeous bunch of asparagus in my local grocery’s produce section in the middle of January, I decided to snap it up and use it in a new recipe. “At least it can taste like spring,” I told myself.
I give you Asparagus Orzotto.
Orzotto is every bit as delicious and fancy-pants as risotto—only much faster and hands-off to make. Win-win. All told, this asparagus orzotto takes about 30 minutes. The recipe includes saffron. Not only does it impart a gorgeous, bright-yellow hue to the orzotto, but it also lends a subtle-but-delicious, hard-to-pin-down flavor in the background.
A couple of notes on making the asparagus orzotto. First, I had envisioned making this dish with pancetta rather than prosciutto, but reconnaissance at the deli counter failed to turn any up. How does a grocery not have pancetta?! (I’m looking at YOU, Pick ‘n’ Save!) Second, I par-cooked the asparagus, stirring it in when the orzotto had finished cooking. Third, I stirred in a good amount of Parmesan cheese just before plating.
Finally, I arranged some asparagus tops I’d set aside so everything looked pretty and springy and…
Not like the dead of winter.
You can be sure I’ll be among the first in line this spring, when, at long last, the Dane County Farmers’ Market returns to Capitol Square and the first asparagus hits the stands.
You’ll love asparagus orzotto, either as a side dish or a light main. Happy Spring!
—xoxo Michelle
I’m sharing my asparagus orzotto at:
2019
- #CookblogShare, guest hosted here at Flipped-Out Food!
2018
- #CookBlogShare, a great food blogger recipe-share at Recipes Made Easy.
- #RecipeOfTheWeek hosted by A Mummy Too.
- #BrillBlogPosts, a link party with a variety of lifestyle reads hosted by Honest Mum.
- 3 tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 5 saffron threads
- 1 lb. asparagus, woody ends removed and sliced into 1" lengths (keep tops separated)
- 2 shallots, finely minced
- 1/8 lb. prosciutto or pancetta, chopped
- 1 cup orzo
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste
- 1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
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Bring a pot with 4 quarts of water and 3 tbsp. salt to a boil. Add the chicken stock to a saucepan over medium heat. Boil the asparagus in the salted water for about 2 1/2 minutes, then add the tips and boil for an additional minute or so, until everything is crisp-tender. Drain the asparagus and add it to an ice water bath for 1-2 minutes. Drain off the ice water and toss the asparagus with 1 tbsp. of the oil. Set aside.
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Crumble saffron threads into the simmering chicken stock. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, sauté shallots and prosciutto in the remaining 2 tbsp. olive oil for 2 minutes or until shallots are softening and translucent. Add the orzo, continuing to sauté for 2 additional minutes.
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Add the wine, stirring until wine is completely absorbed.
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Gradually add the chicken stock in a slow, steady stream, stirring until all stock is added to the pan. Add salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until it's soft enough to suit your taste. Note: if the orzo has completely absorbed the stock but is still chewy, add 1/4 cup water (or as needed) and continue to cook until the additional liquid is absorbed and the texture is right (the orzotto should be creamy, but not gluey at all).
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Reserve some asparagus tops for garnish. Stir remaining asparagus into the orzotto and remove pot from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and additional freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with the reserved asparagus tops. Enjoy!
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This looks so easy and delicious – my kids refuse to eat regular risotto which is a pain as I really like it but this might just be a compromise they’ll actually eat! #cookblogshare
Ooohh, I hope they like it!! Thanks for stopping by, Helen!
I totally agree about winter! I hate it too – especially as I am one of those people who really feels the cold. Really hope it’s staring to warm up for you guys now! Love, love, love asparagus – and this orzotto sounds like such a great way to eat it – especially as it is so easy peasy and ready nice and quickly – my kinda food! 😀 Eb x
Yes, I am really sensitive to cold as well. It is warming up, but there’s a cold snap expected this weekend—UGH! 😐 I hope you love the orzotto!
This looks so vibrant and delicious! #cookblogshare
Thanks, Hannah!! 🙂
Our English asparagus is just making an appearance i picked up the first bunch of local ( to our weekend escape) asparagus this Easter and you really can not beat locally grown asparagus the flavour is so good. Locve the look of this recipe I hope to try when I can get some more.
Thank you, Jacqui! Thank goodness for Spring!
This looks like an amazing meal, Michelle. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Jhuls!! 🙂
Asparagus season is here with the perfect, thin little stalks. I was hosting Easter dinner and wanted something special to go with my salad and chicken rollatini (your recipe as well) and so I picked this. It was a big hit, even though my dad swears he doesn’t like asparagus. Another great part about this – I was able to make this the night before. Winner, winner, side dish to chicken dinner…yum!!!!
LOVE IT!!! I’m so glad that this dish was a hit, Deborah! Thanks for sharing your experience!
This dish is right up my street.I could eat it every day.Delicious.Pinned!
Thanks so much, Jenny! I hope you love it!
With this recipe I feel like spring is truly around the corner, looks delicious! #CookBlogShare
Thank you, Monika! I feel the same way, even though we’re supposed to get more snow later this week! 😉
How delicious and vibrant and tasty does this look. Adore your photography too. You are SO talented x
Thank you so much, Vicki—you are so sweet!!!
Oh I am so with you on the hating winter thing – brrrr. I can’t wait until the weather warms up and I stop having to wear like 4 jumpers. Asparagus is one of my favourite things about spring – and I love what you’ve done with it here…sounds utterly delicious – and easy. Right up my street!! Eb x
Thank you so much, Eb! I am just about to explode being cooped up inside, but for now I have to bring Spring indoors with dishes like this. 😉
I eat so much asparagus in the spring and I’m always looking for new inspiration, thank you for sharing this looks so good.
Thanks, Janette! Asparagus is the bomb!
This looks delicious! I love asparagus and this recipe looks like it certainly wouldn’t disappoint. I need to try this one ASAP! Thanks for sharing. Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Thanks, Luci!
I really should be going to Farmer’s Market more often. This is the perfect recipe to use an abundance of asparagus in!
Thanks, Rae! I absolutely love going to Farmers’ Markets.
My husband loves asparagus. Will have to give this a try. Looks yummy!
Thanks, Juli! I hope it’s a hit!
This looks so creamy and delicious! The asparagus makes it perfect for spring!
Thanks, Allison!