This Beet Green Orzo recipe creates a delightful, comforting side dish perfect for serving with grilled steak, shrimp or chicken.
After years of renting space at our local community garden, we’ve moved our growing home this year. We have a container garden we’re hoping will be fruitful, successful and easy to manage. So far, our tomatoes are growing strong and our peas have popped out of the ground, beginning their ascent into the world. We’ll add herbs and greens to our mix soon too. I just need to buy some more planters to grow them in.
Growing in containers means we aren’t growing as much as we have in previous years, and that’s okay. My ideal growing season involves a mix of things I have nurtured myself, and ones I have bought at the farmers market. I am particularly excited for a summer of meandering walks to our downtown market.
As we approach summer, I have been thinking about all the foods we eat at home that aren’t standard for everyone. After more than 20 years of learning, writing and growing, I am pretty openminded about what we will feast on and this has passed along to my kids too. We’re a family of adventurous eaters.
From carrot tops to radish greens to dandelion greens, there is a world of leafy green vegetables beyond spinach, kale and arugula. Among this class of nutrient-rich vegetables, beet greens stand out as my very favorite. They are slightly sweet, totally decadent and even a little rich flavor.
Beet greens are the above-ground growth of beets, which have flavorful stems and firm leaves. I love chopping both to use in stir fries, fried rice, burritos, salads and more.
In this easy Beet Greens Orzo recipe, these greens are sauteed with garlic and shallots. The touch of crushed red pepper also gives it a little bite. Tossed with tender orzo, this becomes a delightful, comforting side dish perfect for serving with grilled shrimp, steak or chicken.
Beet Green Orzo
Beet greens have the rich, slightly sweet flavor of beets but the familiar texture of greens. This makes them perfect for salads, sauteing and more. In this easy Beet Greens Orzo recipe, these greens are sauteed with garlic and shallots, adding a richness to the mixture. The touch of crushed red pepper also gives it a little bite. Tossed with tender orzo, this becomes a delightful, comforting side dish perfect for serving with grilled steak, shrimp or chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry orzo
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 cups beet greens, stems chopped small and leaves torn into bite-size pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a pot of water, cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water to pause the cooking process.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened — about 2-3 minutes. Season with crushed red pepper and stir well to combine. Add the beet green and steams and stir well. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the greens are softened, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add the orzo to the greens and toss well to combine. Season with salt and pepper, and taste. Adjust seasoning as desired.
- Serve immediately.