Give risoni some love

It might look like rice and sound like rice, but risoni is, in fact, a very versatile pasta.

Risoni cooks in just half the time of risotto rice. Source: Cook like an Italian

Risoni is also known as risi or orzo, but whatever you want to call it, just don't call it rice. Like most pasta, risoni is made from a mix of durum flour, semolina and water. Its small shape is ideal for adding bulk to soups and stews - you simply add it to the dish raw during the last 10 minutes of cooking. It's also a treat when added to a salad or used to stuff eggplants, capsicums or zucchinis.

Try one of these ways to dance the risoni.

15-minute warm-up

Silvia Colloca's quick risoni “risotto” takes just 15 minutes to prepare. Source: Cook like an Italian

Risoni makes an excellent "cheat's risotto", cooking in less time, with far less stirring required. Bring risoni together with fresh pippies, white wine and cherry tomatoes for a small-effort dinner with plenty of flavour.

Persian dance

Lamb-wrapped quail eggs nest in a saffron and tomato risoni base. Source: Shane Delia

This lamb and egg dish is a soft and delicate Persian version of Scotch eggs, braised in a saffron-scented tomato and risoni risotto. You begin this recipe up to a week ahead so the saffron water develops flavour and colour.

Greek syrtaki

Beef and orzo casserole will warm your very toes. Source: One World Kitchen

Risoni is a master at soaking up flavour and this traditional Greek beef casserole makes good use of its powers. Tomato, garlic, brandy, cinnamon and cloves infuse every hearty bite.

Keep stepping with a hasapiko

For a gluten-free variation of risoni, look for rice flour-based orzo, which is available at health food stores. Source: Benito Martin

Chicken is marinated in lemon, fennel, garlic and olive oil before being barbecued over high heat alongside red capsicum. Risoni is then mixed with the remaining marinade, olives, walnuts, feta and the charred capsicum. The two components duet together in perfect harmony.

Souper moves

You can make this lentil soup the day before you need it. Leave the risoni out until it's time to reheat on the day. Source: Benito Martin

This broken pasta and lentil soup is a great throw-together dish for when your cupboards and fridge are erring on the empty side. Instead of snapping spaghetti, simply use the perfectly-shaped risoni instead.

Rat-a-tat tap

Joe's chicken and risoni dish is packed with vegetables like onion, zucchini, eggplant, herbs and tomato. Source: Maja Smend

Another flavour-packed chicken and risoni dish, this time by cook Joe Wicks. Quick-cooking risoni adds a carb refuel to a healthy and fast chicken and veggie dinner.

Ice down

"I have a special fondness for risoni," says O Tama Carey. "It’s an ingredient I turn to for comfort yet it has a lovely lightness to it." Source: Sharyn Cairns

It's quite rare to find iceberg added to a hot dish, but here its light, fresh flavour perfectly complements the risoni. This is a zesty, green take on a risoni 'risotto' that still has a nice creaminess to it thanks to a generous helping of broad beans.