Orzo Pasta

Orzo pasta is one my new favorite side dishes.  You are able to add anything you want really; cheeses, vegetable, etc. So this isn't really a recipe but a suggestion for mixing up your meals.  Its a nice break from the usual rice, potatoes, or pasta.  When cooking your Orzo, opposed to using just water for cooking, replace half the amount of water with chicken broth.  When the Orzo is almost done, add in the vegetables to allow them to heat thoroughly.

In the above picture, I had mixed artichoke hearts, green olives and spinach.  I would also suggest bacon.  Bacon makes everything taste great.   

Chicken Fried Rice

This is a simple dinner or side dish.  Feel free to add any kind of meat you want.  I buy the vegetable mix in the freezer section.  I like having the variety of vegetable in my fried rice opposed to just peas and carrots.

Ingredients:

2 cups of rice, cook according to directions (I use brown rice)

2 cups frozen vegetable mix

2 chicken breasts, cut into very small pieces, salt and pepper as desired

1/2 cup soy sauce, I use light...use soy sauce to match the flavor you like

3 eggs

1 teaspoon siracha hot sauce

Steam rice according to directions.  While steaming rice, cook chicken in a frying pan and remove.  Crack eggs into same pan and scramble, breaking into smaller pieces.  Once egg is scrambled and fried, add in cooked rice, soy sauce and hot sauce if desired.  Stir and fry the rice.  Add chicken and vegetables.  Cook until vegetables are heated thoroughly.

Artichoke Pasta

Original recipe found here

This is a quick and easy dish I found online.  Use it as a side dish to accompany the rest of your meal, or add chicken or beef to create a delicious man course.

Ingredients

1/2 lb. tri-colored pasta (or elbow macaroni)
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 (14-oz.) can artichoke hearts, quartered
1 (12-oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce

Cook the pasta according to the directions. While the pasta is cooking, sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the diced tofu and sauté for 2 minutes, then add the artichokes, tomatoes, and tomato sauce.  Top pasta with the sauce.