Orzo with Shrimp, Feta Cheese, and White Wine

I have been making this dish for as long as I can remember.  It is a wonderful main course for a dinner party that gets rave reviews every time I serve it.   I like it because it is filling enough to keep the men satisfied, but also light enough to keep the women happy.  As I said…crowd pleaser!  I have made this meal for two, I have made it for twenty and it is consistently wonderful!  I usually serve it with a green salad or roasted asparagus and bread to make it a complete meal. 

Orzo with Shrimp, Feta Cheese, and White Wine

Adapted from epicurious.com

Serves 4

Ingredients

8 ounces orzo pasta
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (divided)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1 pound uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined (I use 21/25 count)

½ small onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

Preparation

·          Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 11x7-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain well and return orzo to same pot.

·          Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 cup feta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons basil; stir to blend. Arrange orzo mixture in prepared dish. 

·          Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and sauté until slightly pink, about 2 minutes (shrimp will not be cooked through). Remove shrimp from the pan and arrange shrimp atop orzo.

·          Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to same skillet. Add onion and sauté over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, then add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.

·          Add tomatoes with juice; cook 1 minute. Stir in wine, oregano, crushed red pepper, and remaining 1/4 cup basil.

·          Simmer uncovered until reduced to thick sauce consistency, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper; spoon over shrimp.

·          Bake orzo until heated through, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup feta cheese and serve.