Orzo with Bacon and Summer Vegetables

Pasta will always be the answer.

or6

Man alive, I asked you guys for help and THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN. Thank you all for your super rad suggestions! I’m gonna do my verrr best to touch on all of it. Maybe twice. MAYBE THRICE.

But for today, we have bacon. And orzo. And vegetables. And lemon zest ooooOOOOoooo!

I’ve never done the “ooOOOooo” thing before, so I was just testing it out. What did you think? If you saw me act it out in person I’d have jazz hands and everything. And I’d wiggle my torso like a Teletubbie. And this is getting awkward.

or1  or2

This COULD be considered a pantry meal, if you consider your garden the pantry. Which I kind of do. In a way. Because it’s just right there, with all kinds of ish in it, just patiently waiting to be plucked and consumed.

Also, I need to say, our garden’s not producing tomatoes just yet, so don’t get too jealous. These romas were leftover from when Aaron bought them to throw at me while I micromanage him. NOW you can get jealous. I think.

or3  or4

Adding orzo to bacony vegetables = stooooop iiiiit but don’t eeeeeveeerrrr.

or5

Remember to add cheese! I forgot until after the photos were taken because I’m a dill will nill pill.

And add basil! I didn’t forget that part because I’m a smarty warty narty party.

I think someone poisoned my morning tea.

or7

Pasta will always be the answer.

Orzo with Bacon and Summer Vegetables:

What it took for 4:

* 4 strips bacon, cut into small chunks
* 1/2 small red onion, diced
* 1/2 small white onion, diced
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 scallions, finely diced
* 1 Tbs. lemon zest
* 3 sprigs fresh thyme
* 1 tsp freshly chopped sage
* 1 pinch crushed red or green pepper flakes
* 1 cup frozen or fresh peas
* 3 – 4 roma tomatoes, chopped
* 1 cup broccoli florets
* 1 1/2 cup orzo
* coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
* fresh basil and parmesan cheese (optional but omg, do it)

Render the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, until crispy. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and place on some paper towels to drain.

Drain all but 2 Tbs. bacon fat. Add the onions to the pan and sauté until they start to soften, 4 minutes. Add the garlic, scallions, lemon zest, thyme and sage to the skillet. Season with the crushed pepper and a little salt. Sauté another minute, or until that mix is pretty fragrant.

Add the tomatoes, broccoli and peas to the pan. The juice from the tomatoes will create a very light sauce, so you’ll simmer the mix until the veggies soften, 5 minutes. You may add a little water to help it along if you want!

In the meantime, boil the orzo until al dente, just a few minutes. Reserve a few Tbs. of the pasta water and drain the rest.

Add the bacon back to the pan. Add the cooked orzo to the pan and give everything a good toss. If you need to add a little pasta water for a little more “sauce,” go right ahead. Taste it. What do you think? Little more salt? What about some lemon juice? oooOOOooo.

Garnish with fresh basil and parmesan cheeeeese, if ya want. Dive on in.

or8

Bacon is a pretty good answer too.

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24 Responses to Orzo with Bacon and Summer Vegetables

  1. Tieghan June 17, 2013 at 7:43 am #
    This looks so good!! I love orzo and all the summer veggies look amazing!
  2. carrian June 17, 2013 at 7:46 am #
    This looks so fresh and wonderful!! And I already have everything to make it.
  3. Kathryn June 17, 2013 at 7:48 am #
    Now this sounds like a very tasty bowl.
  4. Marie @ Little Kitchie June 17, 2013 at 7:50 am #
    pretty pretty! and perfect for summer!
  5. Alla June 17, 2013 at 7:57 am #
    uuh looks like something I can make ahead to take to the beach for a picnic!
  6. Laurie {SimplyScratch} June 17, 2013 at 9:07 am #
    Pasta and bacon TOGETHER!! My fave!
  7. Meagan @ A Zesty Bite June 17, 2013 at 9:26 am #
    Bacon + pasta = match made in heaven!
  8. Sues June 17, 2013 at 9:51 am #
    This would make an incredible side dish or entire meal!
  9. Heather June 17, 2013 at 10:26 am #
    Please never stop making pasta. PLEASE :)
  10. Morgan June 17, 2013 at 12:19 pm #
    Love a fresh pasta dish like this for summer nights. Plus, bacon never hurts.
  11. angela@ another bite please June 17, 2013 at 2:03 pm #
    ha ha pasta is always the answer....and makes everyone happy right!
  12. cassie June 17, 2013 at 3:13 pm #
    Pasta is always the answer....love it!
  13. Tracey @ Cooking with Love June 17, 2013 at 3:15 pm #
    Looks wonderful! I love orzo!! :)
  14. Sherri @The Well Floured Kitchen June 17, 2013 at 3:43 pm #
    Oh, that looks delicious and simple! Jealous, we don't have any tomatoes around here yet.
  15. Ash- foodfashionparty@blogspot.com June 17, 2013 at 4:35 pm #
    This looks delicious and I so wish I can have a bowl of those right now..
  16. Aggie June 17, 2013 at 4:53 pm #
    I seriously love orzo anything. This looks fantastic Bev!
  17. Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste June 17, 2013 at 5:14 pm #
    Holy heavens! I could eat orzo for breakfast, lunch, dinner AND dessert. And with bacon? SIGN ME UP.
  18. DessertForTwo June 17, 2013 at 5:57 pm #
    Yum! This looks like my kinda meal: mostly veggies, a touch of meat.
  19. Arthur in the Garden! June 17, 2013 at 7:19 pm #
    Yummy!
  20. Jamie @lifelovelemons June 17, 2013 at 8:14 pm #
    can I just eat the whole thing?
  21. Ruthy @ Omeletta June 17, 2013 at 11:20 pm #
    Bacon, cheese and good veggies= the perfect summer meal. Love this.
  22. Megan @ Country Cleaver June 18, 2013 at 9:35 pm #
    This is like the holy trifecta - carbs, bacon and veggies. Can I come over for leftovers? I'll lick the pan. I dun even cur.
  23. Kelly @ livelovepasta.com June 20, 2013 at 4:19 pm #
    That is SOOO my kind of meal. I'll have to try this one right away :)
  24. Nutmeg Nanny July 1, 2013 at 2:47 pm #
    Oh yum! Perfect flavor combination in this dish, I'd love to have some right now :)

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