When I can have a meal that has a meat and sides I feel like I am eating fancy.  I am just so used to making and eating casserole-type meals.

I made this bacon orzo as a side to salmon.  It was so good that I could have eaten it as a meal itself.

Orzo is a pasta for those who have never had it or heard of it, but eats like a rice.  Nathan kept calling it rice.

I used spinach and sundried tomato orzo, but you can use whole wheat or regular.  Whatever you can find will work.  Couscous would be great as well.

You cook everything in some of the bacon fat from the bacon in the recipe and it gives the dish/side so much flavor.

Eat this alone or as a side.  Either way, you will love it!!

Bacon Orzo

Recipe courtesy of: FamilyCircle.com

8 ounces orzo (about 1 cup dry)
1/4 pound thick-cut bacon, diced
1/2 large yellow onion, diced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Cook orzo in lightly salted boiling water for 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
In a large saute pan, cook bacon over medium heat for 8 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon. Drain most of the bacon grease.  In same pan, add onion to bacon fat. Cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, mustard and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Bring to a boil and simmer 1 to 2 minutes to thicken. Stir in orzo and bacon. Add more pasta water, if desired.