Tomato Orzo with Gochujang

By Ashley Jean March 26, 2023 29 mins read 115 Views

This tomato orzo, a 30-minute quick meal, combines classic pasta with gochujang, a Korean red pepper paste. This orzo pasta is irresistible thanks to its chunky tomato sauce, spicy Gochujang, garlic garnish, and crispy fried garlic.

This Recipe is Great

I love simple, quick recipes that are easy to put together and don't lose any flavour. This tomato orzo is just that. In just 30 minutes, tender orzo pasta is cooked in a spicy tomato sauce and topped off with a fried garlic garnish.

What's the secret? Gochujang! This dish is usually made with crushed red pepperflakes. But, it's gochujang Week and I wanted to make my own!

This dish has everything you want: tangy tomato sauce and crispy fried garlic. The perfect kick is provided by the gochujang. This creamy pasta dish is packed with vibrant flavour when combined with the orzo rice-like rice.

It's even easier than that! !

Ingredient Notes

Orzo Pasta -Orzo might look like rice but it's actually pasta This pasta can be found in the grocery store with other varieties of pasta.
Olive oil
Shallots
Garlic
Tomato paste I use double-concentrated tomato paste to get a richer flavour.
Gochujang Use storebought gochujang or make your own.
Cherry tomatoes
Salt

Step by step instructions

Make the Tomato Sauce

Olive oil can be added to a saucepan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the shallots, salt, and cook for about one minute, stirring frequently. You don't want to brown the shallots. Instead, cook them until tender. Cook for 30 seconds more.
Cook the tomato paste and gochujang until they are darkened, approximately 2 minutes. Stir constantly to prevent burning.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the tomatoes. Cover the pan with oil and tomato paste mixture. Then, cover it with a lid to allow steam to escape. Stir every few minutes. Let the tomatoes cook until they are soft enough to be able to be smashed with a spatula.
After the tomatoes have burst, continue cooking for 3-4 minutes. Season with salt as needed.
You can blend the sauce with an immersion blender or high-speed blender if you wish. Once you are satisfied with the texture, put it aside.

Add the Orzo

Follow the instructions on the package to prepare orzo. Drain the cooked orzo once it is done.
Add the cooked orzo immediately to the saucepan. Stir in a little bit of the cooking water. Garnish with fried garlic if you like.

Optional: Prep Fried Garlic

In a small saucepan, add the sliced garlic and enough neutral oil to coat it. Let the pot heat on medium heat until it starts to sizzle. Let the pot heat up for 2 minutes. Stir gently with a spatula.
When the edges have turned a light golden brown, remove the garlic from the oil with a slotted spoon. After being taken out of the oil, they will continue to cook for several minutes. To capture any excess oil, place the pieces on a towel and season with salt. Let cool.

Expert Tips

Make sure you prepare the garlic before adding it to the fried garlic topping. You should eat the orzo right after it has been cooked. Don't let it sit in sauce for too much.
You can enjoy the sauce a bit chunkier or blend it to make it smoother.

Serving Tips

This spicy tomato orzo is great with my lemon + herb-crusted Tofu or any other protein you choose.

Storage Tips

Tomato orzo tastes best when it is hot right after cooking. This is why I do not recommend storing leftovers.

FAQ

Is orzo rice or pasta?

Orzo is a wheat-based pasta that has a similar shape to rice. It is a popular ingredient in many "one pot" dishes, such as pasta salads.

Is orzo pasta better than rice?

Although it has more carbs, calories and protein than rice (but not necessarily healthier), it does have more nutrients. It is a little heartier than rice and has a similar taste to regular pasta.

These Pasta Recipes are Delicious...

Calabrian Chili Tomato Pasta

Vegan Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Baked Feta Pasta With Cherry Tomatoes

Vegan lemon pepper Pasta

Garlic Scape Pesto

Let me know what you think of this Tomato Orzo recipe by leaving a comment below. Follow me on Instagram to find more delicious recipes

Tomato Orzo and Gochujang

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian, Korean

Keyword gochujang, tomato orzo

Prep time 5 min

Cook Time 25 Minutes

Servings 5 HTML4_ HTML5_

Equipment

Small pot
Braiser or pan 5 Qts
Immersion blender optional
High Speed Blender Optional

Ingredients

8 oz orzo gluten free, if desired
3-4 tbsp olive oil
2 shallots finely minced
5 cloves garlic thinly sliced
1 tbsp tomato paste double concentrated
2-3 tbsp gochujang
1 pint cherry tomatoes 16oz
1/2 tsp salt more, to taste

Fried Garlic Garnish (optional).

4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
neutral oil to cover

Instructions

Make the Gochujang Tomato Sauce

Olive oil can be added to a saucepan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the shallots, salt, and cook for about one minute, stirring frequently. You don't want to brown the shallots. Instead, cook them until tender. Cook for 30 seconds more.
Cook the tomato paste and gochujang until they are darkened, approximately 2 minutes. Stir constantly to prevent burning.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the tomatoes to the pan. Cover the pan with oil and tomato paste mixture. Then, cover it with a lid to allow steam to escape. Stir every few minutes. Let the tomatoes cook until they are soft enough to be able to be smashed with a spatula.
When tomatoes burst, continue cooking for 3-4 minutes. Season with salt.
You can blend the sauce with an immersion blender or high speed blender if you wish. Set aside once you are satisfied with the texture.

Add the Orzo

Follow the package instructions to prepare orzo. Drain and save some cooking water after the orzo has been cooked.
Add the cooked orzo immediately to the sauce pan. Add a splash of water and stir to combine. Fold the sauce into the orzo. Garnish with fried garlic if desired.

Prep Fried Garlic

In a small saucepan, add the sliced garlic and enough neutral oil to coat it. Let the pot heat on medium heat until it starts to sizzle. Let the pot heat up for 2 minutes. Stir gently with a spatula.
When the garlic is lightly golden brown on the edges, remove it from the oil with a slotted spoon. After being taken out of the oil, they will continue to cook for several minutes. To capture any excess oil, place the pieces on a towel and season with salt. Let cool.

Notes

Expert Tips

Make sure you prepare the garlic before adding it to the fried garlic topping. You should eat the orzo right after it has been cooked. Don't let it sit in sauce for too much.

You can enjoy the sauce a bit chunkier or blend it to make it smoother.

Serving Tips

This spicy tomato orzo is great with my lemon + herb-crusted Tofu or any other protein you choose.

Storage Tips

Tomato orzo tastes best when it is hot right after cooking. This is why I do not recommend storing leftovers.

The first Veggiekins Blog post was Tomato Orzo With Gochujang.

Welcome to Paleovsketo.com, the trusted source for up-to-date knowledge on lifestyle nutrition. Today more than ever, more and more people are turning to diets which focus on clean, unprocessed foods and plant-based ingredients. From paleo, keto and plant-based diets to intermittent fasting and weight loss; we’re here to bring you reliable strategies for feeling - and looking - your absolute best.

We firmly believe that everyone deserves to live healthier, happier lives. We invite you to join us in our mission of embracing healthier living through education, inspiration and empowerment - because at Paleovsketo.com, we understand that it is no longer enough to know WHAT we should be eating; we must all learn HOW too!

Whether you’re just getting started with a new diet or lifestyle change or if you’ve been following a nutritional plan for years; our website aims to provide guidance and act as an inclusive community forum that welcomes everyone from all walks of life. Share your stories, passions, recipes and advice with us; together let us revolutionize the way people think about healthy eating by promoting delicious and nutritious practices backed by science.

All contributions are welcome - so pick up that spatula and email us at [email protected]! You are a part of the universe - so act like it with confidence, grace and integrity while learning to embrace the power of plants through careful mindful eating today! Join the ranks now of thousands of inspired individuals who aim to make their lives easier while optimizing nutrition intake- you won't regret it!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some tips to make the transition from a plant-based diet to one?

Transitioning to a plant-based diet can be intimidating, but it can become an exciting lifestyle change with the proper knowledge and support. Here are some tips to help transition to this type of diet.

Structuring meals around whole foods rather than processed items for adequate macronutrients, vitamins, and mineral intake.
Focusing on creating meals that are enjoyable to eat and meet dietary needs.
You can create a support network such as family members, friends, and certified health professionals.
Try new recipes to spice up your meals.
You can slowly change your habits, but you must also be mindful of your nutrient intake.

Individuals can improve their chances of sticking to this healthy lifestyle change by slowly changing to a more plant-based diet.

Is there any athlete or celebrity who advocates a plant-based diet for their health?

Yes, celebrities and athletes are big supporters of a plant based diet. Some of these include Kyrie, the NBA's player, Lewis Hamilton, the Formula 1 World Champion, Natalie Portman and Kenneth Farrow who are all NFL running backs. Each one has chosen to be vegetarian/vegan for their own reasons and have achieved great results in their sporting endeavors as well as their artistic endeavors. Actress Alicia Silverstone even wrote a book about her experiences with the vegan lifestyle, Kind Diet. Novak Djokovic is a professional tennis player. He credits his remarkable habit of eating only organic vegan foods during competitions with his career success. These four professional athletes share some remarkable qualities. They all mention a higher energy level, faster recovery from injury, and better overall health. Plant-based diets are a powerful tool to improve athleticism, as demonstrated by the success stories.

Can you build muscle on a plant-based diet?

Yes, it is possible for a plant-based lifestyle to build muscle. You don't have to eat vegetarian food to build muscle. It just means that the type of food you eat will determine how strong and large your muscles can become. Plant-based diets could include legumes, lentils, peas, doves, seitan and nuts. They may also include high-protein foods such a legume, peas, beans, lentils, and peas. A plant-based diet that is balanced can help you achieve your fitness and overall health goals. Processed foods are often loaded with harmful additives and preservatives, so it is better to eat whole foods than processed ones. For consistent gains, it is important to eat enough protein each day. To do this, you can include foods such as quinoa, flaxseed oils, and nut butters into your daily diet. It doesn't matter if you are looking to increase muscle mass or improve your overall health, meeting with a nutritionist who is trained in plant-based nutrition may be beneficial.

Is a diet based on plants the same as a vegan one?

No. A plant-based eating plan is not the exact same as a vegan. A plant-based diet consists of an eating plan that emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts. This eating pattern typically eliminates or dramatically reduces the consumption of animal products such as meat or dairy, but small amounts of animal proteins may be included. Veganism, on the other hand is a lifestyle choice that focuses exclusively on plant-based nutrition and avoids products such as clothing or cosmetics made from animal products. Although vegans may also choose to adopt a plant based diet as part their lifestyle, they are separate concepts.

How can you replace meat with a plant-based diet

Ingenious vegan substitutes can replace meat in a plant-based diet. Tofu (wheat gluten), seitan (wheat protein), tempeh, fermented soybeans, and mock duck made of mushrooms can all be substituted for traditional meats. Vegetarian burgers made from black beans and quinoa can also be as good as beef burgers. Coconut bacon strips, eggplant bacon bits, tofu mayo and veggie hot dog made with seasoned text soy protein are other tasty options that don't require animal products. Recipes can also be modified to rely on vegetables, grains, nuts, beans, seeds, vegetables, and fruits as sources of nutrients and flavor. Steaming, roasting or grilling are all great ways to enjoy plantbased meals without compromising savoriness.

Is it hard to shift to a plant-based lifestyle?

While it can seem intimidating to transition to a vegan diet, it doesn’t have to be. It is possible to gradually transition to a plant-based diet and make tweaks that feel doable. Each person's individual needs mean that the transition should be tailored to their lifestyle. It is important to plan meals around whole foods and not processed food to facilitate the transition. This will ensure that you get enough macronutrients, essential vitamins, and minerals. It is also beneficial to focus on creating healthy, delicious meals that meet your dietary needs.

To help individuals achieve their goals of living a plant-based life, it is important to have a support group made up of close friends, family, and health professionals. Cooking new recipes can bring excitement and variety to the journey. There are many delicious vegan options available so no one will feel bored or deprived. Changing gradually while mindful of daily nutrient intake can ensure a successful plant-based journey.

Statistics

In fact, according to research published in the going plant-based can cut grocery bills by $750 a year per person, Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. (forksoverknives.com)
Another found that following a diet rich in plant foods and lower in animal foods was associated with a 16 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 31 to 32 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. (everydayhealth.com)

External Links

How To

How to make the transition from a plant-based diet easy without feeling overwhelmed

The transition to a more plant-based diet can seem overwhelming at first. But, with proper preparation and education, it's possible. Start slowly and make small changes to your diet. For example, replace animal protein with plant-based protein. Whole foods are better than processed ones, and they tend to be healthier and more satisfying.

Planning and meal preparation requires dedication. Plan your meals ahead of time so you can plan and shop for the right ingredients and allocate enough time for each dish. It is a good idea to invest in kitchen appliances like multi-cookers, slow cookers, and multi-cookers. Batch cooking makes it easy to have multiple meals ready at once.

Do not be afraid to experiment with new flavors. You can add variety to your vegan diet by trying different cuisines, such as Indian curries and Chinese tofu. Make a grocery list that's based on recipes, and not on impulse shopping at the supermarket. It'll be much easier to switch once you have the right ingredients.