Orzo with Bacon Peas and Parmesan Cheese!

This is one of those Nigella Lawson knock off recipes.  In spirit it's her but I like to think I've bumped up the flavors a bit.  This is pure cold weather comfort food, there's no real excuse for bacon, butter and pasta except as a last resort at the end of a cold winter.  It's also really quick to cook and kids LOVE it.

Orzo with Bacon, Peas and Parmesan Cheese.

1 packet of orzo

1 packet of bacon, fat trimmed as much as possible and chopped into small pieces

A tablespoon or so of olive oil

1 onion

4 garlic cloves

A pinch to red pepper flakes

A splash of white wine

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup (approximately) of Parmesan cheese

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups frozen peas

Fresh parsley

Bring a large pan of water to the boil, add the orzo and cook until al dente.

Meanwhile cook the bacon and onion in a large saute pan until the bacon's crisp and the onions golden. Add the red pepper flakes, a handful of fresh parsley and cook for another minute.

Add the splash of white wine and let it sizzle and cook for a minute or two.

Drain the orzo reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.  Add the bacon mixture to the orzo, along with the butter, Parmesan, frozen peas (which will cook in the heat of the pasta) another handful of parsley and taste for salt and pepper.

If the mixture is too dry add some of the cooking water.  Serve immediately!

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