Orzo with Goat Cheese, Peas and Mint

Usually, I make a big deal of Eating Dinner Together At The Dining Room Table As a Family.  Especially on Sundays.  There’s just something about being at the table, with placemats and candles and fabric napkins that makes me feel like all is right with the world.  And now that my teenager is leaving for college in a matter of days, I’ve gotten even more, shall we say, insistent?  I’m trying to memorize every last detail of her sunny face across the table from me.  Somehow I don’t think gazing into this face across the table is going to be the same.

Although I’m thinking I am going to miss the teenager so incredibly much that I might actually break down and let the dog sit in her chair, just so it’s not so, well, EMPTY.

Anyway.  Family dinners are great, but every once in a while there is nothing like eating supper out of mis-matched bowls on the sofa in front of a movie, with the dog curled up at your feet looking pleadingly at whatever you are eating.   And this is one of those meals – a warm, comforting, cheesy bowl of easy to eat orzo mixed up with just enough wonderful and comforting things to make it both interesting and scrumptious.

And putting it together could not be easier.  Cook up some orzo, which is rice-shaped pasta and one of the world’s best comfort foods.  Once it is done and drained, pour it into a bowl and stir it up with a little olive oil and lemon zest, and then toss in some peas (fresh are fabulous if you can find them, but frozen cooked peas will work just fine), some crumbled goat cheese, a little fresh chopped mint and some salt and pepper.  Voila!  Instant comforting coziness…it’s great warm, warm temperature or even as a chilled pasta salad kind of dish.

Personally, I plan to eat mine at all different temperatures curled up on the coach until my baby comes home for Thanksgiving break.  I hope the orzo supply holds out!

Orzo with Goat Cheese, Peas and Mint

Orzo with Goat Cheese, Peas and Mint

Orzo with Goat Cheese, Peas and Mint

Ingredients

1 pound orzo, cooked
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
I cup peas, fresh or frozen and thawed
6 ounces crumbled goat cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper

Directions

1. Combine hot cooked orzo with olive oil and lemon zest.2. Stir in remaining ingredients. Can be served warm or cold!

Comments

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  1. Jennifurla says:

    you poor thing, my little girl is on vacation with her dad and I miss her terribly! That pup should help though. Great meal here.

  2. You know, if ALL of you are sitting on the couch with bowls in your hands then I think it still pretty much counts as a family meal. But snuggly-er. And if you want another face at your table, I'll totally invite myself over! Anytime!

  3. The Procrastobaker says:

    ive never cooked orzo but one of my favourite pre-bought on the go lunches is this lovely chicken orzo salad from the local supermarket (naughty i know..), so i would love to try my hand making something with the stuff at home :) Great easy little recipe that i hope to give a whirl!

  4. Anonymous says:

    Good you have a dog. Here's my best advice for when your daughter goes off to school. Close her bedroom door. Don't go in there. Keep busy, and consider getting a puppy. By the end of October, you'll be surprised by how much you like being an empty nester. Still, you'll be thrilled to see her every time she comes home. Best of luck with the new routine. I bet you'll be fine – as will she.

  5. Looks fantastic. I love orzo and the combo of mint and peas.

  6. Lopez Kilpatrick says:

    This was a huge hit with my southern (southern Mexico that is) husband. We used less Orzo, so ours was probably cheesier and Pea-er than yours, but the flavor combination worked great all the same. Thanks!

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