Looking for a recipe that uses garlic scapes? May I suggest this delicious Orzo with Shiitake and Garlic Scapes!

orzo risotto with garlic mushrooms

I picked up some garlic scapes at the Farmer’s Market this past weekend and set out to find a great recipe to use them in. I came across this one and cooked it up for dinner last night. I have just one word for this dish. Wow!

Every part of his dish was delicious. I loved the orzo and cooking it risotto-style infused it with the chicken broth flavour. The added Parmesan and a bit of heavy cream made it beautifully creamy, but not over-the-top rich. A bit of baby arugula is stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking for colour and flavour.

The shiitakes and garlic scapes are sautéed separately in butter, that’s allowed to brown a bit, then spooned on top of the finished dish. I shaved the garlic scapes with a vegetable peeler, so they cooked up beautifully. It’s all topped off with some shaved Parmesan.

This is one of those dishes that is simple, but makes us humble home cooks feel a bit like a gourmet cook for a moment. It’s beautiful to look at and it tasted divine. I’d say it was great for entertaining, but as it is cooked risotto style, it does require standing and stirring for 20-30 minutes. That said though, if your entertaining is casual and your guests are gathered around the kitchen with a glass of wine, it would be a worth considering. It would definitely be enjoyed!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Orzo – orzo is a pasta (not a rice), so look for it in with the pasta at the grocery store.

Shiitake Mushrooms – shiitake mushrooms are easier and easier to find these days, but if you can’t find any, cremini mushrooms would be a good substitute.

Garlic Scapes – If it isn’t garlic scape season*, I’d still recommend this dish, since the orzo and mushrooms were so nice. To substitute, I’d add some chopped garlic to the mushrooms and then stir in some green onions once the mushrooms were browned and cook until wilted. Garlic chives might be another good option, if you can find some. Again, stir once the mushrooms are cooked. (*I plan on picking up more scapes to freeze, so I can enjoy them in this dish again!)

Recipe Tips

I highly recommend having all your ingredients prepped and at the ready. You’ll need two sauté pans and a saucepan to heat the broth. Then pour yourself a big glass of wine (or your drink of choice) to enjoy while you tend to stirring the orzo.

orzo risotto with garlic mushrooms

orzo risotto with garlic mushrooms

Get the Recipe: Orzo with Shiitake Mushrooms and Garlic Scapes

This is delicious dish, with orzo cooked risotto style, with garlic scapes and shiitake mushrooms.
5 stars from 3 ratings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 3 people

Ingredients

  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 5 Tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil, DIVIDED
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 12 oz orzo
  • 6 oz shiitake mushrooms
  • 3 garlic scapes, cut end trimmed and flower bulb and end removed, then shaved into ribbons with a vegetable peeler
  • 4 Tablespoons butter, DIVIDED
  • 3 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream, 35% b.f.
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus shavings for garnish
  • 3 oz baby arugula, 3-4 handfuls

Instructions
 

  • Pour stock into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to keep hot.
  • Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, cook the onion in 3 Tbsp. of olive oil until translucent and tender. Season with salt and pepper. Add the orzo and mix thoroughly. Gradually add the stock to the pasta, one ladle full at a time, stirring each continuously, until the stock is absorbed and then adding another ladle full. Continue this process until the orzo is cooked to al dente.
  • While the orzo is cooking, in a separate saute pan, heat 2 Tbsp. of olive oil and sear the mushrooms and garlic scapes until golden brown. Add 2 Tbsp. of the butter and a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper. Let the butter become golden brown, then remove from heat and reserve.
  • Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the remaining 2 Tbsp. of butter, Parmesan cheese and heavy cream. Stir to combine and then stir in the baby arugula and cook just until the arugula is wilted. Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Return the mushrooms to a hot burner briefly to re-warm.
  • To serve, spoon orzo into a shallow bowl and place the a spoonful of the mushrooms and scapes over the top. Using a vegetable peeler, shave some additional Parmesan cheese on to the top for garnish.

Notes

Be sure to read the notes above this Recipe Card, for more tips, options, substitutions and variations for this recipe!
Cuisine: American, Canadian
Course: Main Course
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 578kcal, Carbohydrates: 100g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 277mg, Potassium: 620mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 51g, Vitamin A: 40IU, Vitamin C: 213.7mg, Calcium: 71mg, Iron: 3.2mg
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