light and healthy orzo for spring.
This Spring Pea Orzo is the perfect healthy lunch (or dinner) to enjoy this spring. Enjoy it as is or paired with protein. It comes together in less than 30 minutes and requires minimal ingredients. Simply cook your orzo then mix into lightly sautéed broccoli rice, edamame, peas, fresh herbs, and lemon zest. Optionally mix in vegan cheese shreds to make it even more savory.
How to Make a Vegan Spring Pea Orzo:
Fresh + Healthy Spring Pea Orzo
Spring recipes are all about bringing together light, fresh, healthy, and flavorful ingredients. Here are all of the healthy ingredients used in this delicious Spring Pea Orzo:
- Orzo.
- Broccoli Rice.
- Peas.
- Edamame.
- Lemon Zest.
- Fresh Herbs. (We used Parsley, Dill, and Chives.)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
- Salt & Pepper.
- Garlic Powder.
- Vegan Shredded Cheese. (Optional but recommended.)
- Coconut Milk Drizzle. (Optional but recommended.)
Nutrient Rich Recipe
What makes this spring pea orzo so delicious in my opinion is the combination of fresh herbs and vegan protein used. Here are a few tips to make it great:
- Use fresh herbs, not dry herbs. Dry herbs work if that’s all you have, but fresh herbs will be more flavorful and nutrient dense.
- Pulse your broccoli florets for 10 seconds or less. If you over pulse them, they’ll get soggy. They should resemble rice granules.
- Use frozen peas and edamame beans. Frozen produce can actually have more nutrients than unfrozen produce. This is because the produce is flash frozen the moment it’s harvested while unfrozen produce begins to decay and lose nutrients. Either way works great, but I find frozen is also more convenient.
- Mix in vegan shredded cheese. This is optional, but I just love how savory it makes the dish.
- Top with lemon zest and a drizzle of coconut milk – also optional! The lemon zest adds a really nice springtime flavor, and the coconut milk gives it a creamier texture.
{If you like this recipe, you’ll love my SPRINGTIME ARUGULA SALAD and my SPANISH RICE WITH VEGAN SCALLOPS AND SPRING VEGETABLES.}
Spring Pea Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 cup Orzo
- 2 cups Water
- 2 cups Broccoli Florets
- 1 cup Peas
- 1 cup Edamame Beans
- 1/4 cup Finely Chopped Herbs We used Parsley, Chives, and Dill
- Sea Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 cup Vegan Shredded Cheese optional
- 1 Lemon, zest from
- Full Fat Coconut Milk, light drizzle optional
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in water. Meanwhile, add about 2 cups of broccoli florets into a food processor. Pulse until the broccoli has turned into a rice. Careful not to over pulse or it will become soggy.
- Heat extra virgin olive oil onto a pan then add in the broccoli rice. Cook & stir occasionally for about 10 minutes.
- Add the peas and edamame beans to the rice and stir to combine. After a few minutes, stir in the cooked orzo. Next stir in finely chopped herbs (I recommend parsley, chives, and a few sprigs of dill), sea salt and pepper to taste, garlic powder, and 1 cup of vegan shredded cheese (I love Violife.)
- Stir frequently and once the cheese has melted, remove from heat and serve. Top with lemon zest and an optional drizzle of coconut milk.
