I was looking for something totally easy yet yummy for dinner tonight so I decided to make orzo with mushrooms and steamed broccoli.  I found a recipe on AllRecipes.com but I modified it to suit my own family.  Also, instead of making this a side dish, we made enough to eat as a meal.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 cups of uncooked orzo pasta
• 2 cups of water
• 1 cup of chicken broth (you can use white wine as well – I just didn’t have any)
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 package of sliced white mushrooms
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 2-3 teaspoons of Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Add the butter to a skillet, on medium high, and add the mushrooms and uncooked orzo.  Once the mushrooms get a little soft, add the water and the chicken broth.  Let it come to a boil and them reduce to simmering.  Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and add the garlic, putting it through your garlic press.  Cook for 7-10 minutes until al dente or cook it to how you enjoy your pasta.

While it’s cooking, get some frozen (or fresh) broccoli and add it to a pot with a bit of water and a steamer.  Let the broccoli steam while the orzo finishes cooking.  They take more or less the same amount of time to cook.

You’ll know that the orzo is ready when most of the water has been absorbed.  Stir in the Parmesan cheese and cover to allow the remaining water to absorb.  Turn your heat off, get your broccoli into a separate bowl and allow people to grab some orzo and add as much, or as little, broccoli as they want!

Enjoy.