
A twist on the Italian classic, this risotto-style recipe is made with velvety orzo pasta instead of rice and is full of fresh summery flavours. Using pre-seasoned sausage meat to make meatballs is a really simple way to cut down prep time in the kitchen, and a trick we’ve been re-creating ever since Chef André shared it with us. Finished off with crumbled feta and served on top of
225 grams
British Pork and Oregano Sausage Meat
(Contains: Wheat, Cereals containing gluten, Sulphites)
1 unit(s)
Leek
180 grams
Orzo
100 grams
Feta Cheese
1 unit(s)
Garlic Clove
½ unit(s)
Lemon
20 grams
Pine Nuts
1 unit(s)
Courgette
(May contain traces of: Celery)
1 sachet(s)
Vegetable Stock Powder
12 grams
Basil
40 grams
Grated Hard Italian Style Cheese
(Contains: Milk, Egg)
500 milliliter(s)
Water for the Orzo
Trim the root and the dark green leafy part from the leek. Halve lengthways then slice widthways. Trim the courgette then quarter lengthways. Chop widthways into small pieces. Peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press). Remove the basil leaves from their stalks and roughly chop (discard the stalks). Zest the lemon. Shape the sausage meat into balls (six per person).
Boil your kettle. Heat a splash of oil in a saucepan on medium heat. Add the leek and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until softened, 3-5 mins, stirring occasionally. Once soft, add the garlic and courgette, stir and cook for 2 mins before stirring in the orzo.
Pour the boiling water (see ingredients for amount) into a jug and stir in the stock powder until dissolved. Pour the stock into the orzo mix, bring to a simmer and cook until the orzo is tender, about 10 mins. Add more water if it all evaporates before the orzo is cooked. Stir every minute or so to ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan!
While the orzotto cooks, heat a splash of oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on the outside and cooked in the middle, 9-10 mins. Turn every couple of mins and lower the heat if they are browning too quickly. IMPORTANT: The meatballs are cooked when no longer pink in the middle.
When the orozotto is cooked, remove from the heat and stir in the hard Italian cheese, lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon and three quarters of the basil. Taste and add more salt, pepper and lemon juice as necessary.
Spoon the orzotto into bowls and top with the meatballs. Crumble over the feta, sprinkle over the remaining basil. Enjoy!

