Buttery Garlic Orzo

I like trying new things, and recently decided to try cooking orzo. Orzo is a pasta, though it looks similar to long grain rice, and has a texture resembling al dente spaghetti. It actually cooks fairly quickly and takes on a good savory flavor in this recipe, partially due to the qualities of fresh garlic. Can I just say that I love cooking with fresh garlic? Garlic powder is good but fresh garlic is GREAT!

Orzo served with chicken

Ingredients:
2 cups dry orzo
Water
1 clove garlic
3 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Start by placing the orzo in a pan or skillet and adding just enough water to cover it. Since orzo is difficult to drain (it tends to fall through a normal colander), it's easiest to use just the amount of water that it will absorb while cooking. Bring water to a boil and cook orzo, stirring periodically. Meanwhile, mince garlic.

When orzo is cooked al dente and water is absorbed, add garlic and butter and continue to cook. At this point, you are basically sautéing the orzo and garlic in the butter. Remember, fresh garlic can be bitter when raw, so contine to stir the orzo and cook for a few minutes till garlic bits are transparent. Add parmesan and stir thoroughly. Serve onto plates and garnish with a little extra butter and sprinkle of parmesan. Enjoy!

Steaks on the Grill

Few things are as iconic of summer as the scent of meat on a grill...the smell wafting through the neighborhood, making everyone in the near vicinity begin to drool! My hubby is the grillmaster of the house, and wow does he know how to cook a fine piece of meat on the grill!

Last weekend we splurged on a feast: New York strip steaks, mashed potatoes, cheesy biscuits, and grilled carrots, with lemon squares for dessert. As I promised those protesting my facebook picture, here are the recipes!

Oh yes...oh my yes!

Steak Rub:
1/4 olive oil, a few splashes Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and a generous amount of steak seasoning, coated on the steaks before and during grilling.

Mashed potatoes:
Okay I confess, they were Betty Crocker dry mix garlic mashed potatoes...but I added extra melted butter and garlic to make them especially creamy and flavorful!

Grilled baby carrots:
2 Tbsp melted butter, a splash olive oil, a Tbsp lemon juice, garlic powder, and Mrs. Dash onion and herb seasoning; placed on aluminum foil and grilled about 10 minutes till barely tender.

Cheesy biscuits:
2 cups Bisquick, 2/3 cup milk, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, garlic powder and Italian seasoning, baked 10 minutes at 450 degrees, with garlic butter brushed on top.

Lemonade:
1 cup bottled lemon juice, 1 1/4 cup sugar, about 9 cups water, mixed and chilled


The meal was a success - a good deal of work but SO worth it. We'll definitely be doing it again!