Protein Packed Caramelised Onion Orzo

  • 16 ingredients

Sweet, caramelised onions, creamy tofu, and a drizzle of herby pesto oil come together in this dreamy orzo dish. It’s cosy, delicious, and brings 23g of protein to every bowl.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

For the risotto

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 250ml white wine
  • ½ bunch thyme
  • 400g orzo
  • 1.25L stock
  • 300g silken tofu
  • 25g nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp vinegar (red wine or balsamic)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Pesto oil

  • 1 tbsp green pesto
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

To serve

  • Pesto oil
  • Chives
  • Cracked black pepper

Before you start

Large deep frying pan | Air fryer

Step 1

Prepare ingredients

  • Thinly slice the onions
  • Strip the thyme sprigs and finely chop
  • Peel and grate the garlic
  • Finely chop the chives

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 250ml white wine
  • ½ bunch thyme
  • 400g orzo
  • 1.25L stock
  • 300g silken tofu
  • 25g nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp vinegar (red wine or balsamic)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp green pesto
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Step 2

Caramelise onion

  • In a large deep frying pan, heat the olive oil over a low-medium heat
  • Add the sliced onions and a generous pinch of salt and cook gently for 10 minutes, stirring regularly, until they are soft then increase the heat to medium and cook for a further 10 minutes until very soft and taking on a nice golden colour
  • If the onions are browning too quickly then add a splash of water to help them on their way
  • Add 1 tbsp brown sugar and turn the heat to medium-high stirring constantly for a further 5-10 minutes until the onions are deep golden brown

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 250ml white wine
  • ½ bunch thyme
  • 400g orzo
  • 1.25L stock
  • 300g silken tofu
  • 25g nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp vinegar (red wine or balsamic)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp green pesto
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Step 3

Make pesto oil

  • Combine the pesto and extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 250ml white wine
  • ½ bunch thyme
  • 400g orzo
  • 1.25L stock
  • 300g silken tofu
  • 25g nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp vinegar (red wine or balsamic)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp green pesto
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Step 4

Cook orzo

  • Add the garlic and thyme to the onions for one minute then add the wine and deglaze, releasing the fond from the base of the pan
  • Simmer until the wine has reduced by 3/4s
  • Add the orzo and stock and reduce the heat to medium so that pan is simmering
  • Simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente, stirring regularly

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 250ml white wine
  • ½ bunch thyme
  • 400g orzo
  • 1.25L stock
  • 300g silken tofu
  • 25g nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp vinegar (red wine or balsamic)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp green pesto
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Step 5

Add in tofu

  • Add the tofu into a bowl and whisk very well until smooth or hand blend until smooth
  • Stir in the tofu, nutritional yeast and vinegar until combined
  • Taste and season with salt and pepper

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 250ml white wine
  • ½ bunch thyme
  • 400g orzo
  • 1.25L stock
  • 300g silken tofu
  • 25g nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp vinegar (red wine or balsamic)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp green pesto
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Step 6

Serve

  • Generously spoon into bowls
  • Drizzle over the pesto oil
  • Sprinkle over the black pepper and chives

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 250ml white wine
  • ½ bunch thyme
  • 400g orzo
  • 1.25L stock
  • 300g silken tofu
  • 25g nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp vinegar (red wine or balsamic)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp green pesto
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil