The following article was written by Priyanka Naik of ChefPriyanka.com.
Sometimes it’s fun to change your weeknight dinner menus, and what better way than to kick up your meals with a few unique and unusual spices? If you’re too busy to go on vacation, then you can at least go on a temporary vacation via your dinner.
For a quick-fix dinner for two, just combine cooked orzo with cumin, mint, and capers. The combination sounds quite unusual, but it makes for a delightful meal.
Garlic-Mint Orzo With Cumin and Capers
Olive oil–flavored cooking spray
1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp. cumin powder
1–2 Tbsp. capers
2 cups cooked orzo
Dash garlic powder
Dash dried Italian herbs
1 tsp. fresh lemon zest
1 Tbsp. crushed red pepper, or to taste
Handful fresh mint, finely chopped (plus a few sprigs for garnish)
Freshly ground coarse black pepper
- Spray a nonstick saucepan with cooking spray, add the olive oil, and set over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and bring the heat down to medium-low. Sauté until fragrant and slightly golden―do not cook over a high flame, as garlic will burn and create a very bitter taste. Add the cumin and capers and sauté for a few minutes.
- Add the cooked orzo, increase the flame to medium-high, and sauté until well combined with the capers and spices. Add the garlic powder, Italian herbs, lemon zest, and red pepper. Sauté for a few minutes, or until the orzo is fragrant and completely coated with spices.
- Add the chopped fresh mint and lots of coarsely ground black pepper. Mix lightly and quickly transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with whole sprigs of mint. Dig in!
Makes 2 servings