Wannabe Risotto

I know what you are thinking: "Boy this blog has sucked lately." And while I don't think it's completely sucked, I have been rather uninspired in my posts. However, today! Yep, today! I have for you...a simple, fake risotto, using orzo pasta instead of rice. Think of it as homemade Rice-a-Roni, sans rice. I just ate a whole heapin' bowl of it for dinner, but you can use it as a side too. Ok, yeah, that is probably better. Know-it-all.

1 cup uncooked Orzo
2 1/2 cups hot water (give or take)
2-3 tbsp Olive oil
1 tbsp Butter
1-2 Clove garlic (to taste)
1 tbsp Lemon juice (optional)
Some Dried Basil (live dangerously - just wing it)
1/4 to 1/2 cup or so Grated Parmasan
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat and melt butter and olive oil. Mince garlic, and saute it around in the pan until it gets all soft and comfy. Put the UNcooked pasta in, and let it toast slightly to a golden brown. Then add one cup of water, and let it return to a boil. Stir often. Keep adding water, 1/2 cup at a time, after each addition is absorbed. It will take 25-30 minutes, and will start to look creamy. Taste for doneness occasionally too. At the end, add spices, lemon, and cheese. Yum.