Orzo

Looking for a comforting new soup to introduce to your family? Take them to Greece with this variation of avgolemono, the classic Greek soup made with chicken broth, eggs, and lemon juice.

Traditionally rice is added to thicken the soup, but this recipe calls for orzo. The consistency is rich and the flavors clean and soothing. To learn the effortless technique, read more

One of my favorite soups of all time is avgolemono, a traditional Greek soup made of lemon, chicken, and eggs. I love it so much that even when I'm not in the mood for steaming-hot soup, I'll still search for something else (like a pasta) that incorporates the same creamy, tangy flavors.

This chicken, plated with orzo, carrots, and avgolemono sauce, is exactly the type of recipe I'd turn to. Serve it if you've got a leftover bird and are seeking a contemporary take on an everyday protein. To make this fuss-free meal, read more

I've been trying to figure out what to make with leftover fennel, and I've finally found the perfect recipe. It highlights the sweet, delicate notes of anise in fennel and the grassy, lemony scent of dill. This dish can be easily modified: Add protein with chicken, another textural element with cubes of ricotta salata, and crunch with almond slivers. To put the salad together, read more

Get the weekend started with this exotic, interesting meal. Thin slices of pork are cooked with coconut milk, curry, and lime juice. Green beans provide snap and red peppers add a nice crunch. Served over a bed of hot orzo, it's filling and delicious.

This dish would be wonderful for a last minute dinner party. To look at the simple recipe, read more

Making a delicious seasoned sauce doesn't have to take all day. In fact, this dish features a red pepper sauce that comes together in minutes. With the help of a blender, roasted red peppers are mixed with basil leaves, salt, and pepper. The final result is a sauce that is fresh and flavorful. Use it to season turkey rolls filled with cream cheese. Piled on top of orzo, the sauce and turkey rolls make a succulent finish to a long week. For the recipe, read more

One of my New Year's resolutions is to experiment with new ingredients. Orzo, the Italian rice shaped pasta, is on the top of my list. It's simple to make, easily flavored, and makes a great substitute for rice. In this recipe it's tossed with fresh chopped parsley and tart lemon zest. It would be marvelous with pork tenderloin or roast chicken. To check out the recipe, read more

The other day we talked about what orzo is. What better way to continue our lesson than to cook with it? Don't be afraid to cook with unfamiliar ingredients on weeknights. It's daring, but it also makes for a more exciting and adventurous meal. When combined with buttery shrimp, fresh tomatoes, and salty feta, this main dish is rich without being too filling. Pour yourself a glass of wine — it's Friday! — and get ready to enjoy a new taste experience. For this super simple recipe, read more