Sometimes we all need a break from our favorite foods. For us, it's rice. We love rice and could easily eat it everyday as part of every meal. Both my husband and I grew up eating rice this often... but there comes a point where you can have too much of a good thing. So to switch things up a bit, I incorporated other starches into our meals. Pasta was one of those things my husband doesn't care for too often because it can be a bit too heavy. That's when I discovered orzo! I like serving this as a rice substitute and similiar to rice, you can combine it with other ingredients to take on new flavors.

For a side dish to an Italian inspired dinner, I prepared orzo with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley. It's not only easy, but good and light for a starch.


1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 tablespoons of butter
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley


Cook the orzo pasta according to package directions with water; drain.

Place the orzo in a large bowl and add the minced garlic and butter. Stir until butter is fully melted. Add the parmesan cheese, parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.