Description
Manestra is a comforting Greek dish featuring tender orzo pasta simmered in a flavorful tomato broth infused with garlic, onion, and herbs. This simple yet satisfying one-pot meal is perfect for quick weeknight dinners and offers a warm, hearty taste of traditional Greek cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot or deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking them until they are softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the vegetable or chicken broth. Add dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper then stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Bring to a Boil: Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. This helps blend the flavors and prepare the liquid for cooking the pasta.
- Cook the Orzo: Reduce the heat to low and add the orzo pasta to the pot. Stir to incorporate and let it simmer uncovered. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Rest the Dish: Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let the manestra sit for a few minutes to allow any remaining liquid to absorb completely and flavors to meld.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the manestra warm, garnished with freshly chopped parsley or basil. Optionally, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese for added richness and flavor.
Notes
- Use vegetable broth to keep the dish vegetarian or switch to chicken broth for extra depth of flavor.
- Stir occasionally while simmering to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Add Parmesan cheese just before serving to enhance the taste but keep it optional for a lighter dish.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free orzo or substitute with rice or quinoa.
- This dish is best eaten fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and gently reheated with a bit of broth or water.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
