Recipe: Basic Orzo with Variations

BASIC ORZO WITH VARIATIONS

BASIC FORMULA:
1 quart water
1/2 pound orzo (1 1/3 cups)
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fat (olive oil or butter)
6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Ground black pepper
Flavorings (see variations below)

TO COOK THE ORZO:
Bring water to boil in a large saucepan and stir in salt and orzo. Boil until orzo is tender and has absorbed the liquid, 8 to 9 minutes. Stir in oil or butter, Parmesan, pepper and optional flavorings.

IDEAS FOR FLAVORINGS:
Add any one set of the following ingredients:

- Lemon (1 1/2 teaspoon zest and 1/2 teaspoon juice) and fresh parsley (2 tablespoons minced)

- Tomatoes (3 canned, chopped and drained), Kalamata olives (8, pitted and chopped coarsely) and feta (1/4 cup)

- Roasted red pepper (1, from a jar, diced) and fresh basil (2 tablespoons minced)

- Fresh spinach (2 cups packed, stemmed). Add with parmesan and cook until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes more

- Blue cheese (1/4 cup) and walnuts (2 tablespoons toasted and chopped)

- Fresh basil (2 tablespoons minced) and pine nuts (2 tablespoons toasted).

Servings 4
Adapted from source: How to Cook Without a Book by Pam Anderson