Cooking with Greek People EP62 - Manestra Greek comfort food
Manestra - Simple Greek comfort food comes to the table...
Most people's comfort food is some kind of casserole, mac'n'cheese, or other simple American fare. Manestra is a common Greek comfort food. This recipe is simple, versatile and ready to embrace any variation you may think of. Add your personal touch and enjoy!
Orzo Pasta
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Chopped Tomatoes
Fresh Basil
Bread Crumps
ORZO IN TOMATO SAUCE | Klitharaki | Greek Pasta
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I love a good one pot meal—these types of meals require little clean up. Enter Kritharaki, often referred to as manestra or orzo. Kritharaki has the aromatic smell of sautéed onions and garlic, a decadent tomato sauce spiced with oregano and cinnamon, and finishes with the addition of stirred in orzo that is cooked low and slow in the sauce. Though it requires minimal effort, I advise you to watch over the pot here and there, as the orzo can quickly thicken and stick to the bottom of the pot. This recipe will feed four to six people—I also would advise you to make a double or even a triple batch, because trust me, you will want more!
Prep Time:
5min
Total Time:
45min
Servings:
3-4
Good For:
Dinner/Lent
Ingredients
1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (28-ounce) cans tomato sauce
1⁄4 cup ketchup (optional)*
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 to 4 cups of water
1 cup vegetable broth
2 cups orzo (In Greek, kritharaki or manestra)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onions until translucent.
2. Season generously with salt, pepper, and oregano.
3. Add in the garlic and continue to sauté for 5 more minutes.
4. Add tomato sauce, ketchup or sugar (if using it - I don't), and vegetable broth to the pot.
5. After pouring the can of tomato sauce, fill up the can with water and pour that into the pot, too. No sauce goes to waste in a Greek household!
6. Season with cinnamon and a bit more oregano.
7. Lower the heat to low - medium and stir in the orzo.
8. Cover the pan with the lid (leave the lid off slightly) and allow to cook for about 20 - 25 minutes. Make sure you stir throughout - especially the bottom of the pan.
*Add water or vegetable broth if needed to cover the orzo. Check for flavor— add more salt, pepper, cinnamon or oregano if needed.***
9. When the orzo is soft, remove the lid and remove the pot from heat and allow it to stand for 10 minutes before serving.
10. Enjoy!
NOTES
If there are any leftovers, which I don't anticipate there being any, but if there are...add more liquid such as water or vegetable broth when re-heating.
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Cajun Chicken Orzo | Supergolden Bakes
Cajun Chicken Orzo – this one-pot chicken breast recipe is packed with flavor and easy to prepare. Deliciously creamy and comforting and one of my favorite midweek meals.
Full printable recipe
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Garlic Parmesan Orzo Pasta: made in one pot! | The Recipe Rebel
PRINTABLE RECIPE & NUTRITION INFO:
Ingredients
2½ cups low sodium chicken broth
1½ cups dry orzo pasta (about 278 grams)
2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅓ cup cream (any kind -- heavy cream will give richer flavor, light cream will be a bit thinner)
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
Combine broth, pasta, garlic, salt and pepper in a medium skillet.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer, stirring often (you can cover or leave uncovered). Cook until most of the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is cooked to your preference. (If you want to cook the pasta further but the liquid is gone, just add a splash more broth).
Stir in cream, Parmesan and parsley. Serve.
12 Kota me Manestra
Kota me Manestra
Chicken with Manestra (Rice-shaped Pasta)
Delicious, tender chicken, baked in a tomato sauce seasoned with a hint of cinnamon. Add the distinctively shaped pasta called manestra for a wonderful taste treat.