Jennifer Garner’s Orzo Shrimp Pasta

One night a I was looking for something to make that would use up things I had around our apartment.  I had a green pepper, frozen shrimp, and some orzo pasta so… I Googled shrimp pasta.  This recipe came up… so I tried it with some alterations. http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Jennifer-Garners-Shrimp-and-Orzo-230166

Ingredients:

1 cup dry orzo
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion (I used the whole onion)
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1/4 cup white wine
1 can (28 oz)whole, peeled tomatoes (I put them in a blender)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp capers
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes
1 lb medium shelled and deveined shrimp
1/2 cup feta (I didn’t use feta and instead topped it with grated Parmesan)
I also added a diced green bell pepper.

Instructions:

1. Cook orzo in boiling water according to package directions. Let drain.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, green pepper,  and garlic and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until onion is translucent. 
3. Add wine and cook 1 minute. Toss in drained (blended) tomatoes (reserve 1/2 cup juice). Break tomatoes into chunks. 
4. Add reserved juice, parsley, capers, oregano, basil, black pepper, and red pepper. Simmer 5 minutes. 
5. Add shrimp and cook 2 minutes or until shrimp become opaque. 
6. Add cooked orzo to skillet. Mix well. 
7. When pasta is thoroughly heated, stir in feta. Serve immediately.

Instead of adding feta, I just topped it with Parmesan.

It was simple and easy to make.  Not my best dish… thanks Jennifer, but it was good enough. Enjoy!