MY MUSSELS-SHRIMP ORZOTTO with ACHIOTE EVOO!

Friends, I never get tired of making this dish. It is so simple and yummy.
 
Category:  Entrée  
Approx. Prep and Cook Time:     Under 40 Minutes
Approximate Cost:    $19.40 or $9.70 per serving
Difficulty Level:  Easy
Allergens, Other:  Gluten Free  
Servings: 2+
 
Ingredients
1 ½ lb. jumbo Shrimp, clean and tails removed ($7.00)
1 box (8 oz.) of Mussels meat (I PURCHASE MINE AT LIDL) ($5.00)
1 c. Achiote seeds (you will only use about 1 tbsp. after cooked to sauté the Orzotto) (.90)
1 c. Angie’s Basting Olive Oil (¾ c. to make Achiote, 1 ½ tbsp. to marinate the seafood) ($1.50)
2 to 3 tbsp. Angie’s dry seasoning for the seafood and Orzotto to-taste ($1.00)
1 chopped Onion and 1 garlic head, chopped (or to-taste) ($1.00)
1 c. Orzo pasta (.50)
 2 c. of stock or broth to cook the orzo (and MORE as needed to keep it moist) ($1.50)
1 c. Seafood stock (or chicken stock) to smooth the final Orzotto with the seafood) ($1.00)
½ c. chopped cilantro and chopped scallions to garnish ($1.00)
 
Directions

1. Clean, cut, marinate and season to-taste the shrimp and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. To make Achiote, add to a saucepan ¾ c. of basting oil, 1c. Achiote seeds and simmer until the strong amber color is obtained. Strain and set aside.

 

1. In a skillet with 1 tbsp. of Achiote oil, add the chopped garlic and onion, sauté, next, add the Orzo and sauté a little more. Then add my dry seasoning to-taste, stir.
2. Carefully, add stock to cover the Orzo about 1 ½ inches over. Stir.
3. Bring it to a boil, stir one last time, bring the heat to low, cover and cook for 25 minutes until done. You want this super moist, not dry. Turn the heat off. Set aside.
4. Meantime, start sautéing the shrimp and just cook for few minutes until they start to turn pink. Remove from skillet and set aside.
5. Immediately, add the pre-cooked mussels and their juice just to warm them up, since they are pre-cooked.
6. At this time, add some seafood stock to the Orzotto for a juicy not dry pasta. Stir.
7. Now, it will take you few minutes to have the meal completed,
8. Start placing the mussels first over the orzo, then add the shrimp as if you were garnishing the dish with them, make it look pretty, smile.
9. Finish the garnish with chopped cilantro and chopped scallions. Done.

 
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings
Angie’s Basting Olive Oil:  www.angieslifehacks.com/cuisine/the-flavor-series-recipe-2-angies-basting-olive-oil