Basil Shrimp with Feta and Orzo

[Joyce]

I would like to make this, since it has lots of positive reviews, but I don't have Reynolds Cooking bags. Is there an alternative method to cook?? Can anyone help? Thanks

[JoanneOR]

I've always made this in the bag and it is one of our favorites. However, I remember reading on this board that you can just use a glass dish and cover it with foil and it works just as well. I may try that next time.

[SusanMac]

You can also take a very large piece of aluminum foil, and fold in all the sides to make a big pocket. You don't really need the cooking bags at all. You can probably use parchment paper, as well, instead of foil, although I find that foil seals better.

I almost always cook fish inside a homemade foil pocket. A little wine, lemon juice, capers and veggies, and it's a really easy, moist fish dinner.

[lindrusso]

I have also made this dish in a shallow casserole dish covered with foil - it works just fine. I like to make this dish for guests - it's so easy and tasty - but I don't like to serve it to them in a foil bag! :)

[Mousie29]

Question:

I also love this dish, but am scared to boil the risotto for such a short time. It would still be hard when I put in foil bag, but I suppose it softens in the oven.

Any word of comfort? Do you boil the risotto for such a short time like it says?

Thanks.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by Mousie29
Question:

I also love this dish, but am scared to boil the risotto for such a short time. It would still be hard when I put in foil bag, but I suppose it softens in the oven.

Any word of comfort? Do you boil the risotto for such a short time like it says?

Thanks.

I followed the directions and it came out fine. I find that most pasta cooks pretty well in about 8 minutes. Cooking orzo for just 5 minutes it close to long enough - the 25 minutes it cooks in the oven is plenty of time for it to finish cooking. This will help the pasta keep a firm texture. Overcooking could cause the orzo to come out mushy. I often cut short the boiling time of pasta when it's going to bake in the oven for just this reason.

[masimmons]

Mousie, the recipe that I made calls for orzo, not rice. I just made this last Monday for the first time. It is really really good. I cooked mine in a covered casserole and it came out great. I think it would taste good over rice, maybe even better than the orzo, but I'm sure adjustments would have to be made for the amount of liquid and cooking.

[Beth]

I have what they call a sautusse pan -- like a big au grautin or a skillet with two loop handles and no long one. I used that and covered it with the skillet lid and it worked great! I made it with whole wheat orzo and precooking 5 minutes was fine. It's a beautiful dish and so good!

[lanie]

This is such a great recipe! Being as how those 'bags' are not available in Canada (at least I have seen them nowhere) I have always sprayed a corningware casserole (covered) and carried on with the recipe and it turns out perfect - along with doing the orzo exactly as the recipe says. Such a great meal - but really only enough for 2 (I think).:rolleyes:

[Angela]

Another lover of this meal!!
I have never used the Reynold's bag. I do like SusanMac--take a large piece of foil and fold it in half and then fold up (I fold the edges up because one time I folded down and the juices leaked a bit) the edges to seal. It works perfectly! I wish CL would do more "bag" recipes as I love the clean up!!

[Chefzhat]

This is getting so many raves that I have to try it!!!

Can someone tell me what issue this is from?

Gracias!
Debie

[lanie]

Here is the recipe - with my additions:

Basil Shrimp With Feta and Orzo

1 regular-size foil oven bag (I used pam sprayed corning ware with lid)
Cooking spray
1/2 cup uncooked orzo
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 cup diced tomato
3/4 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1. Preheat oven to 450º.

2. Coat inside of oven bag with cooking spray. Place the bag on a large shallow baking pan.

3. Cook the pasta in boiling water 5 minutes, omitting salt and fat; drain. Place the pasta in a large bowl. Stir in 1 teaspoon oil and next 7 ingredients (1 teaspoon oil through pepper). Place the orzo mixture in prepared oven bag. Combine shrimp and basil. Arrange shrimp mixture on orzo mixture. Fold edge of bag over to seal. Bake at 450º for 25 minutes or until shrimp are done. Cut open bag with sharp knife, and peel back the foil. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon oil.



N.B. I also sauted about 2 garlic cloves chopped and 1/2 cup onion in a bit of olive oil & butter - then added about 1/4 cup white wine - then added to the mixture before the shrimp went on top.