Orzo and Brown Rice Pilaf

A quick and nutritious side dish that goes especially well with grilled food. The cooking time is cut down by using a quick-cooking brown rice, but do not use "instant" rice without adjusting the cooking time at the end.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup carrot, diced (about 1 small)
• 1⁄2 cup onion, diced (about 1 small)
• 1⁄2 cup  red pepper, diced (about 1/2 a medium)
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2 3⁄4 cups chicken broth
• 1⁄4 cup brown lentils or 1⁄4 cup green lentil
• 1⁄4 cup orzo pasta
•  fresh ground black pepper
• 1  cup quick-cooking brown rice

Directions

1. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add carrots, onions, red pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Saute, stirring occasionally until vegetables have softened, about 8 minutes. Lower heat, if necessary, to prevent onions from browning.
2. Add chicken broth and increase heat until boiling. Add lentils and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add orzo and pepper to taste. Add another 1/4 teaspoon salt if necessary.
3. Stir in brown rice, reduce heat to medium low and cook, covered, 10 more minutes until all the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
4. Fluff with fork and serve.