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March 23, 2010

Orzo with Shrimp and Feta (and a few extras)

It's only my second week of work at my new job and I have a head cold!  Terrible timing.  I can't bring myself to call in sick on day 7... I'm not that girl that calls in sick every time she sneezes and I don't want to portray myself that way.  On the other hand, I don't want to get my co-workers sick and I realize that if I did stay home and rest for one day the cold would probably go away.  Alas, I insist on going to work, so this will most likely get progressively worse.  What's a girl to do!

I did not make dinner last night.  I didn't do anything last night.  My way-cute husband took my tennis shoes off for me and brought me a blanket on the couch.  That's where I stayed until the nyquil kicked in and I drifted off to sleep.

I did manage to fix dinner tonight however.  Luckily I was able to taste it a little bit too!  This was another throw-together-what's-in-the-kitchen meal.  I just love those.

Orzo with Shrimp and Feta (and a few extras)
3/4 cups orzo
olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 green pepper, finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
10 shrimp, shelled, deveined, cut into thirds.
lemon juice (optional)
sliver of butter
1/3 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/4 cup crumbled feta

*If you've got time to chop everything before you start cooking, I highly recommend that.  We should all have sous chefs, don't you think? :)

Cook the orzo according to package directions.  Drain and add back to the pot.  Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently for about a minute, don't let it burn.  Add the green pepper and onion and cook, stirring occasionally for 3-5 minutes.  Add the peppers and onions to the pot with the orzo.  Put another drizzle of olive oil in the skillet, turn the heat to medium-high and add the shrimp.  Cook, stirring occasionally for 4-5 minutes.  Squeeze a little bit of lemon juice and give them one more good stir then add them to the orzo.  Add the butter and stir it in until it melts.  Toss in the cherry tomatoes, feta, and a tiny drizzle of olive oil if the pasta seems dry at all, or if you just love the taste like I do.  Go easy though on it though.


Substitutes:
feta: you could use goat cheese or parm or any cheese you like
red onion: use any onion, shallots, or just leave it out.  maybe use two colors of bell pepper instead
green pepper: any pepper although I think a bell or sweet pepper of some sort is best
cherry tomatoes: obviously any tomato is fine, or, like the onion, replace it with a second color bell pepper
shrimp: leave the shrimp out and serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken

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