Toasted Orzo with Saffron and Fennel

Dairy Free
Health score
24%
Toasted Orzo with Saffron and Fennel
35 min.
4
313kcal

Suggestions


Welcome to a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and elevate your dining experience! Our Toasted Orzo with Saffron and Fennel is a delightful dish that perfectly balances flavors and textures, making it an ideal side dish, antipasti, or even a light starter. With its vibrant colors and aromatic ingredients, this recipe is sure to impress your guests and leave them craving more.

Imagine the nutty aroma of toasted orzo mingling with the sweet, anise-like notes of fennel, all enhanced by the luxurious touch of saffron. This dairy-free dish is not only a feast for the senses but also a wholesome option, clocking in at just 313 calories per serving. It’s a wonderful way to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet without sacrificing flavor.

In just 35 minutes, you can create a dish that is both elegant and comforting. The combination of sautéed red onion and fresh fennel adds depth, while the saffron infuses a beautiful golden hue and a subtle complexity. Whether you’re serving it as a side to your favorite protein or enjoying it as a snack, this Toasted Orzo with Saffron and Fennel is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this exquisite dish that celebrates the beauty of simple, high-quality ingredients!

Ingredients

  • cup fennel bulb chopped (from 1 small bulb)
  • tablespoons olive oil 
  • ounces orzo pasta 
  • 0.5 cup onion red chopped
  • 0.3 teaspoon saffron threads crumbled
  • tablespoon water divided

Equipment

  • sauce pan

Directions

  1. Soften saffron in 1 tablespoon hot water and set aside.
  2. Cook onion in oil in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes.
  3. Add orzo and toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.
  4. Stir in saffron mixture, remaining 2 cups water, and 1 teaspoon salt and simmer, covered, until orzo is just tender and liquid is absorbed, about 12 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle fennel bulb over orzo and let stand, covered, off heat 5 minutes. Stir fennel bulb into orzo, then serve sprinkled with fennel fronds.

Nutrition Facts

Calories313kcal
Protein11.3%
Fat23.17%
Carbs65.53%

Properties

Glycemic Index
46
Glycemic Load
19.97
Inflammation Score
-3
Nutrition Score
9.533043584098%

Flavonoids

Eriodictyol
0.23mg
Apigenin
0.01mg
Luteolin
0.01mg
Isorhamnetin
1mg
Kaempferol
0.14mg
Myricetin
0.01mg
Quercetin
4.11mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:313.29kcal
15.66%
Fat:8.03g
12.35%
Saturated Fat:1.17g
7.32%
Carbohydrates:51.09g
17.03%
Net Carbohydrates:48.03g
17.47%
Sugar:3.41g
3.78%
Cholesterol:0mg
0%
Sodium:16.27mg
0.71%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:8.81g
17.62%
Selenium:40.57µg
57.95%
Manganese:0.65mg
32.7%
Vitamin K:18.02µg
17.16%
Phosphorus:137.25mg
13.72%
Fiber:3.06g
12.22%
Copper:0.21mg
10.36%
Magnesium:39.56mg
9.89%
Vitamin E:1.21mg
8.06%
Potassium:261.67mg
7.48%
Zinc:0.98mg
6.52%
Vitamin B6:0.12mg
6.24%
Vitamin B3:1.25mg
6.23%
Iron:1.07mg
5.94%
Folate:21.16µg
5.29%
Vitamin C:4.1mg
4.96%
Vitamin B1:0.07mg
4.59%
Vitamin B5:0.35mg
3.5%
Vitamin B2:0.05mg
2.98%
Calcium:28.84mg
2.88%
Source:Epicurious