Sunset Orzo with Spanish Shrimp

Sunset Orzo with Spanish Shrimp

Ingredients

  • Salt

  • 1/2 pound orzo pasta

  • 2 pinches saffron threads

  • 1 cup chicken broth

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

  • 1/3 pound Spanish chorizo, chopped

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 1 small red bell pepper, chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 1/3 cup green peas

  • 1 pound medium shelled and deveined shrimp

  • 1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley

  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika

  • Juice of 1/2 lemon

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the orzo and cook until just al dente. Drain and cover.

While the pasta is working, in a small saucepan, steep the saffron in the chicken broth over low heat.

In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, over medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook until browned, 2 minutes. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic and turmeric and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the peas.

In another medium skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and firm, 2-3 minutes. Stir in the parsley, paprika and lemon juice; season with salt. Remove from the heat.

Pour the saffron broth over the chorizo and vegetables. Add the orzo and toss for 2 minutes. To serve, top the orzo with the shrimp.