Everyday Orzo

I realized that after all the great recipes I listed that I wanted to make from the Seattle Junior Leagues Cookbook Simply Classic, that a simple side dish might seem like a bit of a letdown. But what gets cooked from each cookbook I own sometimes just has a lot to do with what I'm craving at the moment and what is available in the pantry.  I plan on making many more of the recipes from Simply Classic in the future so a dish like this was a perfect way to start.

I'm not sure why but I'm a huge orzo fan (especially when it's combined with cheese). I've made Artichoke Orzo Salad, Orzo "Risotto" and Orzo Pasta Salad. This was a really simple recipe to add to my orzo side dish repertoire.  Everyday Orzo is not really a fast dish to make because  there is some cooking time, but it still had wonderful flavor and went perfect with some roasted chicken for a simple spring dinner.

EVERYDAY ORZO
(Simply Classic)

4 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup onion, chopped
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked
1/2 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste

Melt butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion and cook until soft but not browned, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes more. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat chicken stock to boiling.

Add orzo to onion and garlic in skillet. Stir in hot chicken stock, bring to boil, cover and remove from heat. Let stand, without removing cover, until all liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted, add chives and season with salt and pepper. Orzo will have a creamy consistency. Serve hot.

Serves 4 to 6

Note: I used butter.

Note: I might chop the onions up finer next time.

Note: I added more cheese. I put in about 3/4 of a cup, but I wanted more. Mr. L said the amount of cheese was fine. Again, I wanted more than that. But then I'm a cheeseaholic so I'm sure the 1/2 cup requested would be fine for most cooks.

Great, simple recipe that would work with poultry, lamb or beef during any season.

 

 

 

Comments

[Jan]

Yum, looks really good.

[briarrose]

Wonderful side dish...and I just happen to have a pack of orzo in the cabinet. ;)

[Cassaendra]

I don't know what it is about orzo. I mean, it is just another pasta like lasagne, spaghetti, ziti, ...right? But they have such a happy sound when mixing in a salad and have a wonderfully defined texture in soups. Then again, I do have a preference for linguine and capelli d'angelo over spaghetti, pappardelle over fettucine, and so on. We are definitely going to try out the orzo recipes you have! Thank you!

[Chris]

I just started using orzo this year and we love it. It's my favorite pasta for side dishes.

[Mrs. L]

Jan - Simple, easy and tastes good...my kinda recipe.

Briarrose - I think I have three or four packages, I seem to keep buying them without thinking.

Cassaendra - I didn't realize how much I liked orzo until I posted this recipe and went back and saw my many posts. And I know I have a couple others bookmarked to make!

Chris - This might be the year of the orzo if I make all the ones that are bookmarked :)