LEMON & GARLIC ORZO PASTA

Lemon & Garlic Orzo Pasta image

My daughter Briana surprised me & came home on yesterday, & because she & her boyfriend loves Pasta & LEMON GARLIC CHICKEN SO MUCH, I created this dish for them to compliment the chicken. I have several version of this recipe that I make from time to time, & no matter which version I make it is always good. The flavors are...

Provided by Rose Mary Mogan

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 16

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Ingredients

1 lb box orzo pasta (i used barilla) cooked by package directions
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
6 clove garlic, minced
6-8 mini sweet peppers (chopped or cut into strips or rings) assorted colors
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 large bell pepper, chopped
1 medium shallot chopped
2 tsp lemon pepper(no salt added)
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 medium lemon (zest & juice)
1/2-1 pt grape tomatoes halved
1 1/2 Tbsp chopped chive
1-1 1/2 c shredded romano cheese
1/2-3/4 c pan drippings from baked chicken (or use chicken broth)
garnish if desired, grape tomatoes, chive, lemon slices,lemon pepper

Steps:

1. Cook Orzo pasta according to directions on box till Al dente', usually about 8 or 9 minutes. Drain and set aside till needed. To make this a complete meal add sautéed boneless skinless chicken breast chunks or strips to it & additional vegetables.
2. Please note that Orzo Pasta is SHAPED LIKE RICE, but requires less cooking time. Is found in the pasta section of most larger grocery stores.
3. Add butter and olive oil to a large skillet, heat over medium high heat. Add chopped vegetables, and cook till translucent about 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Next add pasta and stir to blend together. Then add salt pepper, chive, lemon pepper, lemon zest, and lemon juice squeezed from lemon. Stir and cook a couple of minutes.
5. Then add the dripping from baked chicken or Chicken broth, which ever you prefer. Allow to tighten up a bit, (some of liquid is absorbed.)
6. Add the Romano cheese and stir till cheese melts. Add additional chopped chive if desired.
7. Garnish as I did, if desired, by using a pyramid shaped mold. Spray inside of mold with non stick butter flavored cooking spray. Then pack orzo into mold till mold is filled, unmold onto a plate if desired and garnish with lemon slices or wedges, chopped chives and grape tomato halves. Sprinkle a little lemon pepper on the perimeter of the plate if desired. Serve your impressive presentation to guest and watch them devour it.
8. I forgot to show you the mold that I used for the presentation. This one is made of metal, but they also make them in a plastic form, I though the metal one would better suit my needs. It comes in various sizes, I purchased the largest one, because that way I can always use less in the mold to create a smaller one.