Miss Pips, a Road Trip and a Recipe

 

    Miss Pips  and I are packed, have said our good-byes, and are headin' down the road.  Who knows where this adventure will lead us?  And, since Pipi insists on driving the first leg, I'm going to get a little shut-eye (Gee, I hope she remembered to bring a map!).  Here's a tasty recipe to tide you over while we're gone.........

    I used Acini di Pepe, a very small tubular pasta, to make this delicious side dish.  If you are unable to find it in your grocery, substitute orzo.

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                                 Ancini di Pepe with Tomatoes and Corn
                    loosely adapted from a recipe in Food & Wine | June 2001

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup Acini di Pepe or Orzo
• 1/4 cup finely diced onion
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/4 cup organic chicken broth
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
• 1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped basil leaves
• Salt and freshly grated pepper to taste

1.  Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saucepan.  Add the small pasta and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until lightly browned.  Add the onion and cook, stirring for about 1 minute.  Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring for half a minute.  Add the chicken broth, cover pan, and reduce heat to low.  Cook for 12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
2.  Stir the tomatoes and corn into the pasta mixture and season with salt and pepper; cook over low heat momentarily to warm the just-added ingredients.  Gently stir the chopped basil and parmesan cheese into the pasta. Serve immediately.