Orzo Primavera

Total Time: 22 mins
Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 7


• 3 quarts water


• 1 teaspoon salt


• 2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked


• 1 lb fresh asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces


• 3 garlic cloves, minced


• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped


• 1 teaspoon margarine or 1 teaspoon butter, melted


• 1 tablespoon olive oil


• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed


• 1/2 cup chicken broth or 1/2 cup vegetable broth


• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon rind, grated


• 1/4 teaspoon pepper, ground


• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (optional)

Recipe

• 1 combine water and salt in a large dutch oven; bring to a boil.


• 2 add orzo and cook 5 minutes.


• 3 add asparagus and cook 4 more minutes.


• 4 drain and set aside in a large serving bowl.


• 5 cook garlic and bell pepper in margarine and oil in dutch oven over medium heat, stirring constantly, 1 minute or until crisp-tender.


• 6 keep stirring, and add peas; cook another minute. add broth, lemon rind, and pepper; bring to a boil and cook one minute.


• 7 add vegetable mixture to orzo and asparagus; toss and top with parmesan cheese.