LEMON AND SHRIMP PARMESAN ORZO

Ingredients

1½ cups orzo pasta

12 – 16 large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

½ pack fresh leaf spinach, chopped

1 large tomato, diced

1 Meyer lemon, zested and juiced

4- 5 cloves garlic, finely diced

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 oz butter

3 tbsp olive oil

Salt and Black pepper

Extra parmesan Cheese

Directions

1. Cook the orzo in a large pot of boiling water, just until cooked and still a little firm to the bite. Drain and set aside.
2. Season the shrimp with salt & pepper.
3. Heat the butter and 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add the shrimp and cook just until done, approximately 2 – 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. Add the remaining olive oil to the same pan. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 2 – 3 minutes, or just as they start to soften. Add the tomatoes and chopped garlic. Cook for a few minutes being careful not to let the garlic burn. Season with a little salt and pepper.
5. Add the spinach and stir into the vegetables. Add the shrimp back to the pan along with the juice of the lemon and ½ tbsp. lemon zest. Mix well.
6. Add the cooked pasta in parts along with the Parmesan cheese, mixing well after each addition. When all the orzo and cheese is incorporated, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
7. Grate some extra parmesan cheese over the top and serve.