Orzo with Chicken and Vegetables

Sunday Lunch: Orzo with Vegetables and Orzo with Simple Chicken in garlic, onions, black pepper

Brunch on Sundays is usually an Indian vegetarian -breakfast dish, but today we went with Orzo, two ways. A vegetairan version with plenty of vegetables and another one with a simple Chicken cooked with garlic, onions,black pepper and a touch of red wine and basil. This goes to Deb'sSouper Sunday's.

Orzo with Vegetables

Ingredients

2 Cups of Orzo

2 Cups finely diced carrots

1 Cup finely diced celery

1 Cup Green peas

1 Cup of grape tomatoes, halved

1/2 Cup onions finely chopped

1/2 tsp of dried basil

1 tsp of freshly ground black pepper

1/4 Cup of fresh chopped parsley

2-3 tbsps of finely grated Parmesan or Peccorino Romano for each batch

Salt
Olive Oil for sauteing and drizzling

1 tbsp of butter [ optional]

Method

Cook the Orzo according the instructions,

Drain and Keep aside.

Heat 2 tbsps of olive oil

Add the halved tomatoes,

Season with 1/4 tsp of black pepper and salt,

Drain and keep aside.

Add more olive oil into the pan if needed= 1 tbsp or so,

Saute the carrots, celery and green peas until done

Check for seasoning,

Add the cooked orzo and toss for a couple of minutes

Add the tomatoes and 1/2 tsp of dried basil.

Drizzle with more olive oil if preferred.

Serve with  fresh, chopped parsley and finely grated Parmesan cheese

or Peccorino Romano.

Orzo with Chicken

Simple Chicken with garlic, onions and black pepper

Ingredients

2 Cups of bone-in chicken breast chunks

1/2 cup of finely chopped red onions

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tsp offresh ground black pepper or more/less according to taste

1/4 cup of red wine

Olive Oil

Method

Marinate the chicken pieces in 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of black pepper and olive oil for half and hour

Heat 2 tbsps of olive oil

Saute onions and garlic until soft

Add black pepper and saute for another few minutes

Add the chicken pieces and brown lightly

Add the red wine and cook for a couple of minutes

Add1/4 cup of water and

Cover and cook on low heat until the chicken on is done.

Use half of the above recipe of Orzo with vegetables, without  the garnish of  parsley and cheese.

Pour the orzo with vegetables into the pan over the chicken

Toss gently,

Add the basil and more olive oil if needed.

Garnish with Parmesan/ Peccorino Romano Cheese and fresh chopped parsely.