Baked Orzo with Shrimp, Tomato Sauce & Feta

LOVE this dish.  Another Greek classic...

This dish wasn't a common one during my childhood - why, I'm not sure - but it's always been a favorite.  The combination of flavors is just awesome.  Get some nice fresh crusty bread and you're all set!

YUM.

Baked Orzo with Shrimp, Tomato Sauce & Feta
slightly adapted from Gourmet

1 onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 pounds shrimp, shelled and deveined
1 pound orzo
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
1 pound feta cheese, crumbled

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  In a dutch oven, cook onion, garlic, oregano and crushed red pepper in 1 tablespoon oil.  Stir until onion is soft.  Add wine and boil until reduced by half.  Stir in tomatoes and salt, reduce to simmer and and stir frequently until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes.  Stir shrimp in and simmer for about 3 minutes.

While sauce is cooking, boil orzo in a dutch oven (follow package directions, but shorten time a few minutes to cook al dente).  Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water and drain orzo.  Return orzo to pot and add remaining tablespoon of oil.  Add orzo to sauce, followed by reserved cooking water, then olives, and salt and pepper to taste.

Add feta to pot and bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes.

Serves 6.

Linked to: Tastetastic Thursday