Carrot, Broccoli & Cheese Orzo

So since I had everything planned out for my menu, minus tonites meal, I needed something. And I needed it fast! ;) It was a day!

I had everything I needed for this as well! I had bought some orzo about a month ago and bought it for another recipe, and didn't use it. ;)

I've never had orzo before and was pretty excited to try it.

And since we are talking about easy, I am labeling all posts that are easy, so you can see which ones are easy to make and fast! ;) I also think I will post a blog of must haves in your pantry/freezer! I am hoping I can, it may take a while! ;)


Place oil (I used coconut oil), carrots, broccoli, onion, garlic, and orzo in pot (I almost used a whole box, 1 pound, of orzo. If you do, just add a little bit more water to it. I also didn't really measure my broccoli and carrots, i did use one whole head of broccoli though. ;))


Saute for a few minutes...


Then add your water. You could also use half chicken stock and half water, it would be really good, but I didn't have any chicken stock/broth, so I just used water! Next time I will use half chicken broth.


Once all the liquid is absorbed, add the Parmesan cheese (you can use fresh, but make sure it's grated...)


This was sooo good! I wish I had some leftovers! ;)



Carrot, Broccoli & Cheese Orzo

1 Garlic Clove
1 Small Onion
1 1/2 Cups Baby Carrots
1 1/2 Cups Broccoli Florets
2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter or Olive Oil
2 Cup White or Whole Wheat Orzo
1/2 Tsp Salt
3 1/2 Cups Water
1/3 Cup Parmesan Cheese

Place garlic and onion in food processor and pulse to chop. Add baby carrots and broccoli florets to the food processor and pulse, scraping down the sides half way until finely chopped. In a large stock pot, heat 2 tbsp of butter or olive oil and sauté the chopped vegetables, raw orzo and salt for 4 minutes stirring continuously. Add the water to the pot and cook over medium heat for 10
minutes uncovered, or until the liquid starts to evaporate and the mixture thickens. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Serve and enjoy!!!

*I used my Vitamix to chop everthing! SOOOO easy and fast!! If I didn't have a Vitamix, I would've used my PC food chopper!

Fettuccine Alfredo

This was my first "supper" recipe using my Vitamix! It turned out sooo good and was soooo easy!!!! You could make this in a regular blender, you would just have to cook your sauce a bit to get it warm before pouring it over your noodles.

You can also make this "low-fat" by using skim milk and fat free cream cheese.


Pour your milk in...


Then add your whole gloves of garlic (it calls for 2, but you know me, I just had to add more! ;))


then add the flour


The tablespoons of cream cheese



Parmesan cheese

Here is the side view of it...



All mixed up hot and ready! You can't see it, but there is some major steam coming from this! It got it nice and hot and was ready to pour over my noodles!! :)

Pour your sauce over your cooked noodles and


Ta-da!!!!!!!! It was sooooooo good!!!!!!!!!!


Here is our supper.... Steamed veggies and fettuccine Alfredo!!!



Fettuccine Alfredo

1 pound fettuccine noodles
2 1/3 cups milk
3 cloves garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons cream cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese or Romano cheese (I used Parmesan)
a little bit of oil to pour over the noodles so they don't stick together (I used a little bit of coconut oil)

Cook your noodles in boiling water until done. Drain and pour oil over the top and toss to coat. Put the lid on top so they stay warm.
Place the rest of the ingredients in your Vitamix container in order listed and secure lid.
Select Variable 1.
Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to variable 10, then to high.
Blend for 5-6 minutes. Pour over cooked fettuccine and toss until well coated.

(I got this recipe from my Vitamix cookbook. It is supposed to be low-fat, but I didn't have any of the low fat ingredients like skim milk and fat free cream cheese! ;) I also used 3 cloves of garlic instead of 2 like the recipe calls for!)

For using your regular blender do the same thing with your noodles.
Place all the other ingredients in your blender and blend on high until thoroughly blended. Place in a pan and cook until hot. Do not let it come to a boil!
As soon as it's hot, pour over your noodles! (I am sure you could even put it in a microwave safe container and cook in the microwave until warm...)

Let me know who you like this! It's really easy and so very tasty! You could even add some cooked cut up chicken or shrimp to this! I served it this time with steamed veggies! It was all a hit!! :D