quick & light

for last nights dinner i went "fridge diving"trying to find something light and quick. i ended up with a yummy Orzo mediteranean style side dish with baked tilapia. a great light dinner for a hot summer night. best of all leftovers turned into a quick school lunch for the kids [ omitting the fish] and secondly while the fish was baking and the orzo simmering i was able to walk our dog with Z. :) cant get better then that.
  Guten Appetit ! 

change it up have fun with it ... and hey, let me know how it turned out !

baked Tilapia 

4-6 pieces of tilapia fish fillets
a baking dish
olive oil
one clove of minced garlic
1 tbsp. chopped parsley
sprig of dill [optional]
1-2 whole scallions
salt and pepper
paprika
one slice of lemon
tin foil

• preheat oven to 375 degrees F [190 Celsius]
• drizzle some olive oil in the bottom of a baking dish
• place tilapia into dish and drizzle with small amount of olive oil
• season with salt, pepper, minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped parsley and a dash of paprika
• place sprig of dill and scallions on top cover the dish with tin foil and bake in oven for about 25-30 min  

mediterranean inspired ORZO side dish/salad [estimating 4-6 people] i used 

3 tbsp. butter
1 1/2 cups Orzo [rice like pasta]
14.5 oz. chicken broth
1 can of marinated artichoke [ drained and cut into small pieces ]
1 tomato cut into small pieces
1 cup  feta cheese cut or crumbled whatever works
1tbsp. of fresh parsley minced
1/2 tsp. fresh oregano minced
1tbsp. of  fresh basil minced
heavy medium sized skillet or sauce pan with lid

• melt butter in heavy skillet over medium - high  heat 
• add the orzo and lightly brown while stirring
• add chicken stock and bring to a boil.  cover 
• reduce the heat and simmer until orzo is tender and all the chicken stock has been absorbed 15-20 minutes
• gently mix in the rest of the ingredients under and serve hot or cold