Sundried Tomato Sex

One of my bestest, most wonderful discoveries I made once I went veg*n and tried to broaden my culinary horizons was sundried tomatoes. (Yes, you skeptical ominvores lurking out there....I hear you muttering. Not eating meat has made my diet ever so much more interesting than before. There's only so much one can do with a hunk of meat, but with all things vegetable, the possibilities are endless...)

Sundried tomatoes are better than sex. In fact, I would take them to bed with me all the time, but Bob happens to think that's weird. So, I have to content myself with putting them in food. They are like the candy of the tomato world, sweet little orgasms of flavour that spasm and dance on your tongue.

I cooked up some Orzo last night with sundried tomatoes as the star of the show. My son came along as I was stirring the pot and inquired as to what was for dinner. The conversation went something like this:

The Kid: "Hey Mom, what's for dinner?"
Me: "Sundried tomato orzo."
The Kid: "Did you have to go and put sundried tomatoes in it? I don't really like tomatoes."
Me: (Indignantly) WHAT? Whaddaya mean you don't like tomatoes? You like tomato soup, tomato sauce, tomato ketchup. "
The Kid: "Yeah yeah yeah, I know, I like tomato stuff, but it's like this Mom, some things just don't go together. Like, I like Pepsi and I like Cheerios. I just wouldn't put Pepsi on my Cheerios. You understand? I don't like tomatoes in orzo."
Me: "Well that's too damn bad, you're eating it anyway." (Cuz that's the kind of loving mother I am...)

As it turns out, the orzo was wonderful. And when the boy snuck out to the kitchen and had a second helping, I wisely refrained from saying a word. This recipe is delicately spiced and lets the flavour of the tomatoes shine. Apologies for the not so appetizing photo...turns out my damn husband was late coming home for supper and it was already dark outside, so my natural light was shot. Plus, a pile of orzo isn't the most exciting thing to look at, anyway...



Sundried Tomato Orzo
Serves Four

4 Sundried Tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
1/2 medium onion, diced fine
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup orzo
2 1/4 cups water
1/4 cup corn niblets
1/4 shredded carrot
2 tsp vegetable boullion (or chicken-style)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
1/4 tsp rubbed oregano
1/2 tsp salt

Place the sundried tomatoes in a small bowl and cover with hot water. Allow to sit for five to ten minutes. Remove and chop into small pieces.
In a large pot, add the oil, onion and minced garlic. Saute for a few minutes, then add the tomato. Saute for a few minutes more. Then, add the dried orzo. Stirring often (as it may want to stick) saute the orzo and vegetables until the orzo starts to brown. This should only take a few minutes.
Take the water that the tomatoes had been soaking in and add more water until you have two and a quarter cups of liquid. Add this liquid, plus the rest of the ingredients, bring to a simmer and stir until orzo is cooked, about ten minutes.

PS: In case you are wondering, I served this with President's Choice Meatless Chicken Breasts. Insanely yummy, and all vegan!