This cherry tomato and chilli orzo is filling and full of flavour. Filled with locally grown tomatoes and mushrooms and a gentle kick of chilli, it’s sure to become a family favourite. Enjoy on its own, or add some protein such as prawns, chicken or chorizo. Finish with a sprinkling of fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. Switch the Parmesan cheese to a vegetarian alternative to make the dish vegetarian-friendly.

Ready in: Under 1 hours

Serves: 4

Ingredients

350g dried orzo
500g cherry tomatoes
4 garlic cloves
2 red chillies
100g Parmesan cheese
250g mushrooms
800ml vegetable stock
125g crème fraiche
A few sprigs of parsley, chopped

Method

1. First, prepare the vegetables. Crush the garlic using a press, finely chop the chillies and roughly chop the parsley. Cut the mushrooms into pieces (about the size of a 50p coin). You can have the mushroom pieces as big or small as you like.

2. Drizzle a small amount of oil into a large lidded saucepan and place over a medium to high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes and cook for 4 – 6 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened.

3. Next, pour in the vegetable stock, 1 tsp sugar and salt and 2 tbsp butter. Add half the chopped parsley along with the orzo and chopped chilli. Stir well.

4. Bring to the boil then cover and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes until the orzo is tender. Stir every few minutes to prevent it from sticking.

5. Finally, stir in the crème fraiche and half the parmesan cheese, then season to taste with salt and pepper.

6. Divide the creamy orzo between bowls and top with the remaining parsley and cheese.

Ingredient of the Week: British Tomatoes

R & L Holt have been supplying our Greengrocers with tomatoes for several years now. They are a family-run business that has been producing tomatoes in the Vale of Evesham since 1980. Their innovative and sustainable growing methods mean they are able to produce great-tasting tomatoes all year round! With freshness and quality guaranteed, we really trust them to deliver superb tomatoes.