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A Quick Dinner Fix With a Taste of the Mediterranean

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

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