Recipe: Shrimp with Orzo and Feta Cheese

This quick and easy take on a Greek classic – shrimp and feta with orzo – will have dinner on the table in 20 minutes from start to finish if you use precooked shrimp as we now do!

For a lengthier cooking-time version, you can use fresh shrimp that has to be boiled, shelled, and de-veined before being cooked in the dish.

At this point, we use ready-cooked frozen shrimp, already peeled and deveined, and the dish is as good as the uncooked shrimp. It takes half the time to make, it tastes heavenly! 

Ingredients (serves 4 to 5 people depending on actual shrimp size)

1 1/4 pounds cooked, cleaned jumbo shrimp. Thaw if frozen. Size 13-25 per lb.

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 fresh lemon, squeezed

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and ground pepper to taste

3 cloves large garlic, chopped

Crushed red pepper flakes, optional

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup chopped onion

2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked

2 1/2 cups chicken stock

1 1/2 cups dry white wine (we prefer Italian wine made from Turbiana grapes)

3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled and divided into 1/2 cup and 1/4 cup

8 sprigs flat leaf parsley or cilantro, chopped, stalks discarded

Method

1. Toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, oregano, salt and pepper and half of the chopped garlic. You could use some crushed red pepper flakes to give the shrimp a little kick. Put it aside for at least a half hour until you start cooking.
2. Heat a large skillet on medium high.
3. Add the butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Heat until the butter has melted.
4. Add the onion, the balance of the garlic, and the orzo.
5. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and the orzo is slightly toasted.
6. Add the chicken broth, wine, remaining lemon juice, and more salt and pepper to taste.
7. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is soft, and just a small amount of liquid remains in the pan.
8. Toss in the shrimp, and stir and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until it is warmed through.
9. Add the 1/2 cup of feta cheese, and stir until combined.
10. Garnish with the additional 1/4 cup of feta cheese, and sprinkle with the chopped parsley or cilantro.
11. Serve hot.