Ingredients
- 2 Tbs garlic-flavored oil (or add a peeled garlic clove to regular olive oil and cook until golden; discard garlic, use oil)
- 6 ounces cubed pancetta (or diced thick-cut bacon)
- 1 1/4 cups frozen petits pois (petite peas)
- 8 ounces orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups boiling water
- Salt, to taste
- 1 Tb soft butter
- 2 Tbs grated Parmesan
- Pepper, to taste
Preparation
Step 1
Warm the oil in a heavy pan that will take everything later; a Dutch oven or saucepan of 10 inches diameter should be plenty big enough. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring, until it becomes crisp and bronzed, then add the peas and stir for a minute or so until the frozen look leaves them.
Add the pasta and turn it about in the pancetta and peas, then pour in the boiling water. Add salt (cautiously) especially if this is for children--the pancetta is salty, as is the Parmesan later); then turn down the heat and let simmer for 10 minutes, though check on it a couple of times and give a stir or two, to stop it from sticking and to see if you need to add a little more water from the kettle.
When it's ready, the pasta should be soft and starchy and the water absorbed. Beat the butter and Parmesan into the pan, check the seasoning, and serve immediately into warm waiting bowls.