Orzotto Recipe Risotto-Style With Peas For Babies
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Orzotto Recipe
This is such a delicious recipe!
I love the fact that the Orzotto recipe is a cross between a traditional risotto and a pasta dish!
I have tried to keep things simple, usually a risotto takes a lot of time and patience! But I love the fact that this recipe doesn’t take up time, but has the same delicious taste as a risotto.
Orzo pasta is great! And I love to have this is my cupboard so that it can be pulled out for quick meals! It is also great for weaning recipes as you can start to introduce orzo pasta into meals to get baby used to lumpy textures! Some Other great orzo recipes such as chicken orzo pasta, courgette and aubergine pasta or a one pot creamy orzo pasta bake are all great for weaning too.
I have stated that this recipe is suitable from 6 months old, you may want to cook and mash the peas beforehand as mentioned below!
This is a lovely recipe give it a go and let me know what you think!
Orzotto vs Risotto
Orzotto and risotto are both excellent dishes for baby led weaning as they offer soft, easily manageable textures that encourage self-feeding and exploration.
Orzotto is made with orzo, a small, rice-shaped pasta, providing a slightly chewier texture compared to the creamier, more starchy risotto made from arborio rice.
Both dishes can be packed with nutritious ingredients such as vegetables, mild cheeses, and herbs, making them versatile and balanced meal options.
Their naturally moist and tender consistency helps babies grasp food and develop chewing skills, while the variety of flavours supports sensory development.
This makes orzotto and risotto equally valuable additions to a BLW menu, promoting independence and healthy eating habits from an early age.
Ingredient information
Orzo pasta- Orzo is great for weaning, it is a great small pasta that can be good to use when you are getting your baby used to lumps.
Onion - This is a great base for the Orzotto, you could use a banana shallot if you had one of those. Or a white onion or a red onion.
Garlic oil - I have used garlic olive oil as I had this in my cupboard, you could use 1 garlic clove and olive oil instead if you didn’t have it.
Oregano - I have used oregano but you can used mixed herbs if you have those instead.
Vegetable stock cube - I have used a zero salt stock cube by Knorr, as I don’t add salt to my recipes. You can also use chicken stock if you like with zero salt added too.
Cheese - I have used mature cheddar cheese but you can use your hard cheese of choice.
Peas - If your baby is 6 months, you may want to cook the peas separately, mash them and add them to the Orzotto. They bring a lovely sweet flavour to the recipe.
Lemon - Adds freshness to the Orzotto and a yummy flavour to finish the recipe off. You can use a little of the lemon zest from an unwaxed lemon if you like too.
Black pepper - I only season with black pepper, no salt is needed for the recipe to be delicious.
Serving suggestion
This is a great dinner or lunch option so could absolutely be served on its own, however if you wanted to add in some chopped broccoli or even serve broccoli on the side that would work well too!
Why not try adding a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or creme fraiche on top of the orzotto to add extra creaminess, or add dairy free yogurt and crème fraiche to keep the recipe vegan and dairy free.
Other pasta recipes you may like: Boursin tomato pasta recipe, Cheest broccoli pasta, Homemade butternut squash lasagne, Cheesy broccoli pasta baby recipe or Avocado pasta recipe.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
I have a great set of saucepans that have stood the test of time, I use them everyday and best of all nothing sticks to them, perfect for this orzotto recipe!
Small airlock containers are perfect for portioning the orzotto for freezing or storing in the fridge. Or if you wanted to use larger airlock container to store all the orzotto I find this one great!
Storage instructions
The pasta can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, stored in an airtight container, or you could use a container with plastic wrap to cover the pasta.
If you wanted to freeze the pasta, you will need to store in an airtight container.
Make sure the pasta has cooled to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container to the freezer.
To defrost the pasta leave in the fridge overnight, and make sure it has fully defrosted.
To reheat the pasta, transfer to a preheated oven on 180C or 350F and reheat on a medium-high heat.
You can reheat in the microwave but be super careful as check and check again that there are no hot pockets, by mixing together and leaving to cool if needed.
Once the pasta has been defrosted and reheated you will not be able to re-freeze.
Frequently Asked Questions: Orzotto
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Yes you can from 6 months old.
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Orzotto is a take on a risotto recipe but using orzo pasta instead of risotto rice.
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Baby can start eating pasta from 6 months old. Some great options are orzo pasta or penne pasta.
Recipe | Orzotto Recipe Risotto-Style With Peas For Babies
Orzotto Recipe Risotto-Style With Peas For Babies
This is a great vegetarian recipe that can be a delicious lunch or dinner recipe! An easy swap that can make the recipe vegan!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by heating your olive oil in a medium saucepan, add in the onion and cook for 10 minutes on a medium-high heat until softened and starting to brown. If the heat is too hot and burning the onion, turn the heat down to a medium-low heat.
- Turn the heat right down if you have not done so already and add in the orzo pasta, and stir through, sprinkle in the stock cube, oregano, peas and add in 250ml of the hot water and stir.
- Cook the pasta on a medium heat until all of the water has absorbed.
- Add in the rest of the 250ml of hot water, stir and cook for 15 minutes until thick and a silky texture.
- Finally add in the grated cheese and stir through, squeeze over the lemon juice with a grind of black pepper and stir again.
- Cool down for a couple of minutes before serving to your baby.
Notes
You could easily make this recipe vegan by choosing a vegan cheese of choice! This would make the recipe dairy free as well!
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Fish pie for baby is an excellent choice for baby led weaning due to its rich blend of flavours and nutritious ingredients. Great recipe for the all the family.