Sweet Potato, Kale and Pancetta Orzo
A comforting one skillet dish combining buttery orzo with caramelized sweet potatoes, salty pancetta and earthy kale. This dish is so delicious, I literally cannot get enough.
Ingredients
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled, cubed
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 8 ounces orzo
- 4 ounces pancetta, cubed
- 1 large shallot, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 4 large kale leaves, stem removed, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- a pinch of salt and pepper
- parmesan, grated (garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a medium saucepan of water to a rolling boil
- Once boiling, add a large pinch of salt and the orzo
- Boil the orzo according the manufactures instructions
- Once cooked, drain the orzo and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Toss the cooked orzo in the olive oil until it is lightly coated and set aside
- Brown 4 ounces of pancetta until crispy in a large skillet over medium heat
- Transfer the crisp pancetta onto a paper towel lined plate and set aside
- Add 1 tablespoon of butter and the cubed sweet potato into the skillet and toss it in the fat rendered from the pancetta
- Allow the sweet potato to become soft and the edges to begin to brown a bit
- Push the sweet potatoes to the side of the skillet and add the shallots and garlic to the other side
- Cook the shallots and garlic for about 3 minutes, stirring regularly
- Mix to combine the shallots, garlic an sweet potatoes and then push the combination to the side of the skillet
- Add 1/2 cup of beef broth, 2/3 cup of heavy cream and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes and bring the mixture to a simmer
- Simmer until the beef broth and heavy cream begins to thicken a bit
- Add the cooked orzo and crisped pancetta and toss everything together
- Place the chopped kale over the orzo mixture and cover the skillet
- Allow the kale to wilt for about 90 seconds and then toss to combine the wilted kale with the other ingredients
- Transfer the skillet onto a heat proof surface
- Garnish with grated parmesan and enjoy