Orzo with Sweet Winter Vegetables

A delicious winter vegetable side dish filled with root vegetables and lots of flavor.

Source: Washington Post, January 4, 2012.

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small sweet onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice (3/4 cup)
• ½ to 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large carrot, peeled and trimmed, then cut into small dice (1 cup)
• 1 medium parsnip, peeled and trimmed, then cut into small dice (1 cup)
• About 1/3 of a medium rutabaga or 1 medium white turnip, peeled and trimmed, then cut into small dice (1 cup)
• 8 ounces dried orzo pasta
• 1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and cut into small dice (1 cup or a little more)
• 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 4 ounces Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half, then into thin slices (about 1 1/4 cups or a little more)
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt; reduce the heat to medium and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the onion starts to soften.
2. Add the carrot, parsnip and rutabaga; cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat so the vegetables soften slowly but don’t brown.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat; add the orzo and cook according to the package directions. Drain.
4. When the vegetables are just tender, stir in the apple and butter; season with pepper to taste and add the nutmeg. Increase the heat to medium-high; if the pan seems dry, add some or all of the remaining tablespoon of oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the apple starts to soften, then stir in the sliced Brussels sprouts. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the sprouts are bright green and just tender. Remove from the heat.
5. Combine the drained orzo, the vegetable mixture and the 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese in a large serving bowl, tossing to incorporate and coat evenly. Taste, and adjust the seasonings as needed.
6. Serve warm or at room temperature, with more Parmesan cheese at the table.

Yield: 8 side dish servings

Per serving: 6 g. fat (2 g. saturated), 120 mg sodium, 4 grams fiber, 290 calories.