Deliciously Ella Orzo Salad

Ingredients

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2-3 garlic cloves
• 2 celery sticks
• 2 leeks
• 1 fennel bulb
• 300 g orzo
• 500 g butter beans or white beans
• 600 ml boiling water
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp (optional) fresh chives
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

Instructions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add 2-3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add 2 thinly sliced celery sticks (cut at an angle), 2 leeks sliced 1 cm thick, and 1 thinly sliced fennel bulb; cook for 15-20 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
4. Stir in 300 g uncooked orzo and 500 g drained butter beans or white beans.
5. Add the zest of 1 lemon and 600 ml boiling water; bring to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add 1 cup defrosted frozen peas in the last minute of cooking.
7. Remove from heat, stir in the juice of 1 lemon, chopped fresh chives (optional), salt, and pepper to taste.
8. Drizzle with additional olive oil if desired and serve warm or at room temperature.