Outrageous Orzo from C S P I

KateL's Note:

Entered for safe-keeping. From June 2012 Nutrition Action Health Letter. If you don't want to use the oven, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet on the stovetop, remove them, and then use that same skillet to saute the tomatoes and garlic in the oil.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4

Yield: 6.0 cups

• 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
• 8 large garlic cloves, peeled and halved lengthwise
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat orzo
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 bunch basil, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F On a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil, toss the tomatoes and garlic with the oil and put in the oven.
2. Spread the nuts on another baking sheet and put in the same oven until they are well-browned, about 3 minutes.
3. Remove the nuts and continuous roasting the tomatoes until they are lightly charred, a total of 15-20 minutes.
4. Stir the orzo into a pot of boiling water and boil for 6 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
5. Stir in the tomatoes and garlic. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes.
6. Remove from the heat and stir in the pine nuts, Parmesan, pepper, basil, and up to 1/2 teaspoon salt.