Miso Orzo Pasta

Method

1. 01
   Step 1Prepare the mushrooms

   Remove mushroom stalks and chop into medium sized slices.

   Shiitake
2. 02
   Step 2Fry the mushrooms

   Melt the butter and fry the mushrooms until golden but still soft.

   ButterShiitake
3. 03
   Step 3Cook the pasta

   At the same time, boil the orzo pasta and reserve 400ml pasta water once cooked.

   OrzoPasta water
4. 04
   Step 4Add miso and water

   Add the miso paste and 250ml of the pasta water (around half of it) to the butter and mushrooms and whisk until combined.

   Miso pastePasta water
5. 05
   Step 5Finish the sauce

   Add parmesan and pasta and whisk until silky and creamy. Really give it some elbow grease! If it needs thinning, add some more pasta water until you get the consistency you like.

   ParmesanOrzoPasta water
6. 06
   Step 6Garnish and serve

   Optionally garnish with a sprinkle of togarashi or furikake (Japanese seasoning blends).

   Note

   Togarashi is spicy; furikake adds umami. Both have seaweed and sesame seeds.