Orzo and Chicken

This pasta gets its name from the Italian word ORZO which means barley. This barley shaped pasta is a very quick to cook and  it gives an illusion to rice eaters like us. To cook any pasta, it is always advisable to go by the packet instructions. In this recipe, I cooked the pasta in boiling water which when simmered took 7 minutes to cook. 

Serves 4

For the Orzo

1. 2 cups Orzo
2. A big vessel of water 
3. A tbsp of salt
4. 2 tbsps of grated garlic
5. 1 large onion sliced
6. 2 tbsps toasted pine nuts or any other nut
7. 1 cup of  red bell pepper finely chopped
8. 2tbsps olive oil
9. Parmesan cheese or any other cheese to taste. 

 Procedure 

1. Boil the pasta, drain and keep aside. Make sure to store 200ml of pasta water. 
2. Add oil to the pan and when hot,  add sliced onions and fry  till translucent. 
3. Then, add chopped or grated garlic and fry for a minute. 
4. Now, add red bell pepper and sautee.
5. Add Italian seasoning and mix well. 
6. Add the pasta and cook on high till everything comes together. 
7. Add pasta water as required and once the water gets absorbed add pine nuts and parmesan  cheese. 
8. You can play around with your choice of veggies, nuts or meat. 
9. I kept it vegetarian  because I served this with Italian style chicken. 

To make chicken 

1. 4 chicken thighs on the bone or drumsticks 
2. 4 tomatoes blanched and pureed
3. 2 tbsps of grated garlic
4. 1 tsp dried oregano 
5. 1 tsp dried basil 
6. 1 tsp red chilli flakes
7. 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
8. 2 bay leaves
9. 2 tbsps fresh cream
10. Salt to taste
11. Any fresh herb and fresh chillies to garnish. 

Procedure

1. Take oil in a shallow pan and when hot, add bay leaves. 
2. Add garlic and sautee on medium heat making sure not to burn it. 
3. Add the chicken pieces and fry till brown on both the sides. 
4. To make fresh tomato puree,  boil water in a sauce pan and then add tomatoes which have been marked criss-cross at the bottom. 
5. Boil it for 2 minutes after which take out the tomatoes, remove the skin and blend it. 
6. After the chicken has browned on both the sides add the tomato puree and the basil, oregano and red chillli flakes and salt. 
7. Cover and cook for 15 mins. Check whether to cook further or not. If cooked, take it off the flame. If not,  cover and give it a few more minutes. Add fresh cream and mix well. 
8. Add fresh herbs and chillies to  garnish.