Creamy Orzo and Vegetables

Average User Rating
4 stars
5 Comments | Write a comment
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Diet types:
  • CKD non-dialysis
  • Dialysis
  • Diabetes

Recipe created by Michele, wife of DaVita patient Charlie and submitted by DaVita renal dietitian Maria from North Carolina.

Portions: 6

Serving size: 3/4 cup

Ingredients

  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 small zucchini 
  • 1 medium carrot
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup frozen green peas
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation

  1. Finely chop garlic. Chop onion and zucchini. Shred carrots.
  2. In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the garlic, onion, zucchini and carrots for 5 minutes. 
  3. Add curry powder, chicken broth and salt; bring to a boil. 
  4. Add orzo pasta and stir until mixture returns to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and pasta is al dente. 
  5. Add cheese, chopped parsley and the frozen peas. Heat until the vegetables are hot, adding a bit more broth if necessary to maintain creaminess. Add pepper to taste. 

Nutrients per serving

  • Calories  176
  • Protein  10 g
    •
  • Carbohydrates  25 g
    •
  • Fat  4 g
    •
  • Cholesterol  4 mg
    •
  • Sodium  193 mg
  • Potassium  170 mg
  • Phosphorus  68 mg
  • Calcium  53 mg
  • Fiber  2.6 g
    •

Renal and renal diabetic food choices

  • 1/2 meat
  • 1-1/2 starch
  • 1 vegetable, medium potassium

Carbohydrate choices

1-1/2

Helpful hints

  • Great served with chicken instead of potatoes or rice. 
  • Recipe can be easily halved.
  • Small amounts of cheese, like the Parmesan cheese in this recipe, can be included and still maintain phosphorus and sodium in an acceptable range.
  • Chicken stock or broth contributes to the protein content of this recipe. Be sure to keep it low-sodium without added potassium chloride.

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What's everyone saying?

5 Comments | Average User Rating:
Creamy Orzo and Vegetables
palmyra3 says:
5

When I made this recipe I substituted chayota (a summer squash) for the zucchini. Chayota remains firm and gives it a crunchy texture. The next day, I added some scrambled eggs with the leftover pasta for a delicious breakfast. Also you serve the leftover cold as a pasta salad. Either way it was great.

Jan. 28, 2016, 4:16 PM - Inappropriate review?
Creamy Orzo and Vegetables
suitor7 says:
5

Everyone loves this recipe. Will make this again. Thanks

Aug. 29, 2015, 9:41 AM - Inappropriate review?
Creamy Orzo and Vegetables
135nicole says:
5

Was very tasty. I did not have any curry, so I skipped that ingredient. Even non CKD family members really enjoyed this.

Sep. 07, 2014, 11:52 AM - Inappropriate review?
Creamy Orzo and Vegetables
Shunkmanitu says:
4

SANDYKK; Try KITCHEN BASICS BRAND:Ingredients Chicken Stock, Chicken Flavor, Sea Salt, Vegetable Stocks (Carrot, Onion, Mushroom, Celery), Honey, Bay, Thyme, Pepper.

Oct. 21, 2013, 7:38 PM - Inappropriate review?
Creamy Orzo and Vegetables
sandykk says:
4

Could just plain water be used instead of chicken broth? I can't find a low sodium/without added potassium chicken broth. Dietitian comment: Yes you can substitute water. Another option is to make your own low sodium chicken broth.

Oct. 11, 2013, 11:34 AM - Inappropriate review?

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