4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
1 cup long grain rice, uncooked
3 1/2 cups hot chicken broth (water & chicken bouillon cubes OK)

In a 2-quart, covered, microwaveable casserole dish:

Melt butter on HIGH for 30 seconds.

Add orzo pasta, stir to coat with butter, cover and cook on HIGH for 2 minutes.

Add rice, stir to coat with butter, cover and cook on HIGH for 2 minutes.

Add hot chicken broth, stir well, cover cook on HIGH for 7 minutes.

Stir well, cover and cook on HIGH another 7 minutes.

Stir well, cover and cook on HIGH a final 7 minutes.

Stir, serve warm.

Variation: Uncooked vermicelli pasta, angel hair pasta or spaghetti pasta, broken into 1/4-inch pieces, may be substituted for the orzo pasta.

Makes 2 cups rice pilaf. Total cooking time: 25 minutes.

Submitted by: Rusty Barton