Happy Mrs. Monday!!! This post almost didn’t happen. Mr. FBBQ and I both had a head cold the past couple of weeks. Fall in the Midwest. We are feeling better though!
Today’s dish is loosely based on a recipe I found in a friend’s cookbook. I made a lot of changes/additions/substitutions and made it my own.
Our base for today’s dish is orzo. Orzo, while looking like a grain or rice, is actually pasta. It is also known as risoni. In Italy, the word ‘orzo’ actually means barley! Traditionally, orzo is made from white flour, but you can get a whole wheat version as well. I happen to have both, but I opted for the white orzo today. Orzo is easy to cook, just boil it for a few minutes, then drain the water.
While the orzo is cooking, I steamed the Brussels sprouts and broccoli crowns. I think I’ve mentioned before how much I love my vegetable steamer. It makes things so much easier and it’s so easy to clean! Most of it can go in the dishwasher. Regarding the Brussels sprouts, I like to leave the stems intact until I’m ready to add them to the dish. It keeps them from falling apart. Brussels sprouts are actually little cabbages!! Where do they get their name? You’ll never guess! They are popular in Brussels, Belgium and are so named! They are low in calories, but high in fiber and vitamins and minerals! They have protein, fiber, vitamins K, C, and A, folate, and manganese. They also contain antioxidants, including one called kaempferol which may reduce cancer growth, decrease inflammation, and promote heart health. Lastly, for those of us that don’t eat fish or seafood, getting enough Omega-3 fatty acids can be difficult. Brussels sprouts are one of the best plant sources of Omega-3s. What a cruciferous crusader!!!
Now that we are steaming and boiling, we are going to grill as well. Add mushrooms, peppers (red, orange, yellow, and green of course), onions and garlic to a saucepan. Grill over medium heat. You can add some salt and pepper to taste. In the future, this might be a good exercise on Mr. FBBQ’s Blackstone!
Once everything is done cooking, put the orzo in the bottom of a bowl. Add the grilled veggies, then the broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Top that with some fresh basil and some lemon juice (fresh from the lemon). Add some chopped chives and some almonds for crunch and enjoy this delicious dish!
