A creamy and comforting orzotto featuring the delicious flavors of Jersey Royals, wild garlic pesto, and Parmesan cheese. This dish celebrates the best of Jersey's seasonal ingredients.
Prepare the Jersey Royals: Chop the Jersey Royals into small, bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
Make the Wild Garlic Pesto: In a food processor or blender, combine the wild garlic, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts (if using), and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Process until a smooth pesto forms. Add a little more olive oil if needed to achieve the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the lemon juice. Set aside.
Cook the Orzotto: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced shallot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the orzo and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted.
Add the chopped Jersey Royals to the pot and stir well. Pour in the vegetable stock and stir to combine.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Stir in half of the Jersey milk and continue to cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, until the orzo is cooked through and the potatoes are tender, about 5-10 minutes. Add more milk as needed to maintain a creamy consistency.
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the wild garlic pesto. Mix well to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil (optional).
Nutrition per serving (425g)
Adjust the amount of wild garlic pesto to your liking. Start with a smaller amount and add more as needed.
If you don't have wild garlic, you can substitute with regular garlic and a handful of spinach for color. Add the garlic at the same time as the shallots and the spinach towards the end of cooking.
For a richer flavor, use homemade vegetable stock.
Feel free to add other seasonal vegetables, such as asparagus or peas, to the orzotto.
Ensure the Jersey Royals are cooked through, but retain a slight bite.
Large pot or Dutch oven
Food processor or blender
No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.