Israeli couscous is much larger and more pastalike than instant couscous. If you can't find it, use a small pasta, such as orzo, ditalini, acini di pepe or small shells.
This deliciously tender steak is an excellent source of iron. Add a side dish that's high in vitamin C, such as Feta Green Pea Orzo (see recipe link below), to help your body fully absorb the iron.
Farfallini are tiny bow tie-shaped pasta; other small pastas, such as orzo (rice-shaped pasta), stellini (small star-shaped pasta) and ditalini (small tube-shaped pasta) are also suitable. Toasting some of the pasta boosts the flavour as well as the visual appeal.
This simple dinner has all the bright, fresh flavours of the Mediterranean, plus the heart-healthy benefits of ingredients common to the region (think lean protein, olive oil and lots of veggies!). Serve with a side of cooked orzo to round out the meal.
These aren't your nonna's meatballs, but they're just as juicy, tender and flavourful. We take this version up a notch with a sweet and savoury glaze that's great in a noodle salad, on personal naan pizzas and bathed in a lemony broth with orzo and zucchini.
This is a light, brothlike soup that pairs perfectly with any hearty sandwich. If you can't find stellini — a tiny star-shaped pasta — use small tubes called tubetti, little grain-shaped orzo pasta or even broken spaghetti. And kids will certainly gobble this up if you use alphabet noodles.
A few dollops of light sour cream are all you need to add richness to this dish. Couscous adds texture, but you can substitute with orzo pasta. You'll find sumac, a fruity Middle Eastern spice, in specialty stores and select grocery stores. Replace it with smoked paprika if you can't find any.
Maureen Di Sebastiano of London got this recipe from her mother-in-law, who uses her own tomato sauce made with tomatoes from her garden.
