Photo of Chickpea and Orzo Pilaf with Zucchini and Mint by WW

Chickpea and Orzo Pilaf with Zucchini and Mint

6
Points® value
Total Time
30 min
Prep
12 min
Cook
18 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Easy
This Mediterranean dish is bursting with fresh flavour and is outstanding warm or chilled. If you have any leftover, plan to pack a few servings to take for lunch later in the week. While this recipe makes an excellent vegetarian main dish, you could also dole out smaller portions and serve it as side to accompany grilled or roasted chicken, pork or fish. For even more flavor, sprinkle the pilaf with crumbled reduced-fat feta but it’s just as tasty without the cheese. If you have trouble finding dried currants at your supermarket, you could use raisins, dried cranberries or dried cherries instead.

Ingredients

Uncooked orzo

1 cup(s)

Olive oil

1 tsp(s)

Zucchini

2 small, halved lengthwise and sliced

Garlic

2 clove(s), large, minced

Ground coriander

1 tsp(s)

Ground cumin

¾ tsp(s)

Table salt

½ tsp(s)

Black pepper

¼ tsp(s)

Ground cinnamon

tsp(s)

Canned drained chickpeas

15 oz, (1 can) rinsed

Cherry tomatoes

1 cup(s), halved

Dried currants

3 tbsp(s)

Fresh mint leaves

¼ cup(s)

Lemon zest

½ tsp(s), grated

Fresh lemon juice

1½ tbsp(s)

Instructions

  1. Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain and keep warm.
  2. Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and cook, stirring often, until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, coriander, cumin, salt, pepper, and cinnamon and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add chickpeas, tomatoes, and currants and cook, stirring often, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Stir in orzo.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in mint and lemon zest and juice. Serve at once.
  4. Serving size: 1¼ cups

Notes

For even more flavour, sprinkle the pilaf with crumbled feta cheese.