Apologies for the lame picture but I forgot to take one and this was all I had left when I remembered 😊 first time posting about a recipe I've made here. Was getting bored with some of the same old flavors so I tried something new. Hellofresh is actually how I've learned how to cook so I'm no expert. But I'm 50, I've got two teenagers and I never really learned how to cook so with that in mind here are my thoughts on this dish I made for the first time. This is what I put in the comments section on the app so I figured I might as well paste it here in case people are curious.
I liked the olive sauce for the chicken. The orzo didn't have much flavor and it was far too liquidy. The picture makes it look more like a rice pilaf but it was definitely soupy. I don't think as much pasta water is needed especially because zucchini is so watery itself. Maybe some cheese could have been added? My family generally liked it which surprised me because my daughter hates zucchini. Also possibly cooking it in a wider pan could have helped get more contact/surface area with heat and cook off more of the liquid. I would also suggest just cooking the orzo in a pot is fine but rather than trying to make it a one pot dish… could probably saute the zucchini in a wider saute pan And then add the orzo back and finish the dish in that pan. Did not taste the garlic flavor at all maybe garlic could be sauteed with the zucchini next time instead of garlic powder. The sauce ended up with far more chopped olives than needed and not as much liquid as I would have liked for the sauce. It also could be a little bit thicker as well. Recipe has potential though.
Maybe it's because it was the first time I was cooking orzo or maybe it's because sauteing the zucchini in a sauce pot for four servings was not enough surface area to to dry it out properly.
I find that more often than not the scale up from two to four servings always ends up crowding whatever pan they tell you to use. I can never fit all the carrots and broccoli on one sheet pan
I would love if they would just add a note on the corner where they have their tips and tricks… Hey instead of waiting till you're making the sauce, reconstitute your chicken stock warm water before you start cooking. Little things like that you learn after doing it for a while but it's super frustrating for an anxious cook like myself to be squeezing out little packets over a hot pan and then adding water it doesn't make any sense. It should be part of the instructions to add the stock to the appropriate amount of water first. But I digress
Overall we liked it but if I did get it again I would make the tweaks that I suggested. If anyone has any other suggestions I would be happy to hear them. I need to get away from chicken with broccoli and carrots with Tuscan heat 😂
by missfitzy75
3 Comments
Did the zucchini make it too watery?
I love their orzotto recipes!
Knuckle bump, fellow 50 yo mom of 2-teens, who never learned to cook. I have to say that I have been having fun learning and making these dinners. My kids have been eating them great and are trying new things instead having the same 5 dinners on rotation. I’ve been looking at this recipe, so if I’ll get it I will keep your recommendations in line.