What is Greek pasta? What do I do with it?

[kenobi]

Someone gave me an intriguing pack of what I thought was rice (long grains), but on closer inspection it describes itself as pasta and the grains look man-made. The rest of the packet has Greek writing which is not really my strong point so I'm not quite sure what it is.

I have a 16 month old who still only has 6 teeth so this is right up her street size-wise but I don't know how to treat it.

Any ideas?

Sounds like orzo (not sure what the Greek name is) - does it look like this. It's probably used to thicken soups. We eat it quite a lot. Find the number of minutes it requires to cook on the package (about 5 min I'd guess), prepare any normal soup, bring to boil, add orzo, and cook for the required # of minutes.

yes! YES! that's exactly what it is. You are so clever thank you!

It's an italian pasta I think but is great either in soup or to make italian flavoured risotto style dishes, much quicker to use than making a real risotto.

Lovely with Chorizo, chunks of mozzarrella, basil, pine nuts, cherry toms, sweet peppers - served hot or cold

It's orzo. The greeks eat it traditionally during lent when meat is forbidden.

They basically whizz up a load of lovely mediterranean tasty tomatoes (won't find the same here in the UK!) and then stew the orzo in the tomatoes and onions and herbs till its soft.

Then serve in a bowl with chunks of feta cheese on the top. Ideally proper greek feta cheese that is very moist and yum!

oooh lovely recipes.

MrsSnaplegs, how does your recipe work - is that a cold tossed salad?

oooh lovely recipes.

MrsSnaplegs, how does your recipe work - is that as cold tossed salad? And how does it work if hot?

PS in Greek I think its called krathiraki, if memory serves .. ah yes, found a recipe

Uum I'm a freestyle cook so I would cook pasta as per directions and then for hot dish whack the other bits in a wok and cook off then mix with drained pasta. If cold would cook pasta then drain and cool and toss with same ingredients uncooked!!

My mil in Cyprus does a fab dish with orzo and lamb and tomatoes, onions, herbs. I dont know the recipe but maybe try to google it. Someimes with chiken aswell.

Otherwise you can make it like any pasta, boil in plenty water, drain, add sause (tomato and cheese, courgetes, or fried chicken....). My dcs like it with peas and feta.

Oh i've just looked Bumpsadaisie's link and the recipe is there! It is 'Yuvetsi'.