2 tablespoons butter 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
2¼ cups chicken broth
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
pinch of red pepper flakes
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Melt the butter in a heavy bottomed pan that has a tight fitting lid. Add the UNCOOKED orzo pasta and stir until completely coated with the butter. Cook on medium-high until the pasta turns golden to lightly brown (watch it because once it starts to turn, it turns quickly).
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Stir in the chicken broth, red pepper lakes, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer until the orzo is tender and liquid is (almost) all absorbed. This will take 15 to 20 minutes depending on how fast your simmer is.
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When orzo is tender, remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Serve hot.
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NOTE: Just about anything can be added to this recipe, next time I think I'll include a little crisp bacon & some mushrooms!!!
TOASTED ORZO with PARMESAN & BASIL FOOD RECIPESBy Coleen Marie