A garlicky, lemon infused, buttery orzo pasta with big, delicious shrimp buried with seared lemons and herbs. This packs a major flavor punch while still being a simple meal.
In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 teaspoon of oil.
Once the oil has become shimmery, add the shrimp (without overcrowding the pan). Sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper. Cook just until pink (about 2-3 minutes per side).
Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add the butter to the skillet and once melted, add the sliced lemon and sear on each side (about 1 minute per side). Don't over cook them here or they will turn bitter. Remove from the skillet and set aside with the shrimp.
Add 1 teaspoon of oil to the skillet along with garlic and orzo. Toast the orzo (stirring frequently) for 2 minutes. Just until the garlic becomes fragrant. Do not burn the garlic.
Pour in the vegetable broth, scraping the bits from the bottom of the pan (it's where a lot of good flavor comes from!)
Add the lemon juice to the pan and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to a simmer allowing the orzo to cook and absorb most of the liquid.
Once most of the liquid has been absorbed, stir in your basil and thyme. Next the shrimp down in the orzo and top with your seared lemon. Allow to cook 1-2 minutes.
Serve and top with grated parmesan, fresh parsley, lemon zest, or even red pepper flakes for a kick. Enjoy!