½cupfinely grated pecorino romanoplus more for serving
¼cupheavy cream
Extra virgin olive oilfreshly ground black pepper, lemon zest, and fresh chopped chives, for serving
Crispy Oyster Mushroomsfor serving (method below)
Crispy Oyster Mushrooms
Canola oil
Oyster mushrooms(you can do shiitake too!)
Kosher salt
Instructions
In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add in garlic and onion and cook until soft and translucent.
Add in mushrooms and cook until all their liquid has released and cooked off, and the mushrooms are nicely browned. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add in orzo and stir to coat.
Deglaze with white wine. Cook, stirring, until most of the wine is cooked off.
Add in about 1/3 of the chicken stock and cook over medium low heat, stirring until most of the liquid is absorbed.
Repeat this process until the pasta is al dente and there is a bit of liquid remaining in the pan. You want to maintain a simmer (not a full boil) through this process so that the pasta cooks gently and all the liquid doesn’t cook off without the pasta being able to absorb it and cook through.
Reduce heat to low and stir in pecorino and cream.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with more pecorino, lemon zest, black pepper, extra virgin olive oil, and crispy mushrooms.
Crispy Oyster Mushrooms
In a sauté pan add enough oil to fully coat. Heat oil until very hot and almost smoking.
Add in mushrooms in an even layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until golden on one side. Flip and let cook until crispy and golden on the second side.