Vegetable Pilaf

 At this very moment, I am enjoying some of this vegetable pilaf. I was in the mood for something rice-y, but decided on orzo. Yum! It's just a little bit spicy, and just delicious. This meal is quick to make and serves three to four. It can easily be doubled or whatever!

You will need:
1 cup orzo (uncooked)
14oz vegetable broth
1.5 tbs olive oil
3/4 cup chopped onions
3/4 cups chopped peppers
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 cup broccoli florets
1 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper

Procedure:
Begin by sauteing the onions (in the olive oil) in a large skillet. Add the uncooked orzo, and let it brown very slightly (a few minutes). Add the vegetable broth, and bring the concoction to a simmer. Add the peppers and carrot shreds. Let simmer for about ten to 15 minutes, then add the broccoli, parsley, cayenne and black pepper, and marjoram. Let it very slightly simmer until most of the liquid is gone, and the orzo is cooked. Enjoy!

Valentine's Day Inspiration: Muffins

 For Valentine's Day this year, I was a little busy spending time with Mark. We fried up some tofu and had a wonderful (and spicy) meal. Maybe I'll post the recipe for it at some point. But for now, here is some Valentine's Day fun, although a little belated.

 I love Earl Grey tea. And I love muffins. And I love making cards. All of these things combine into one sweet little idea: Earl Grey muffins and muffin cup cards. Save this one for years to come! Notice anything similar about the heart on the card and the muffin cups? Yep, I used a muffin cup to make a card. I cut a heart out of it and glued it into some red cardstock. Fun and cheap, right?

 Now, as for the inside of the card, it's lined with some light grey (think Earl Grey) cardstock, and a cute skinny heart is placed right in the center. Just for some added love.

 I highly recommend serving these with a cute heart-shaped bit of butter to keep the Valentine's Day spirit coming all day long. Speaking of these muffins, here's the recipe:

1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 Earl Grey tea bag (I used Tazo full leaf and crushed it up so that the pieces would be manageable)
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4tsp salt
1 tsp lemon juice
2 eggs
3/4 tsp vanilla

Combine the sugar and butter, add the egg. Add flour and ear grey tea. Add everything else. Mix. Bake at 350 for about 24 minutes.

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day!