BAKED ORZO AND CHEDDAR WITH PEPPERONI

l/2 cup l/4″ diced pepperoni
l/2 cup chopped onion
2 tbsps. flour
3/4 cup chicken broth
l-l/2 cups coarsely grated cheddar cheese (about l/4 lb.)
3/4 cup orzo
l/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
In a saucepan cook the pepperoni over mod-high heat, stirring, for
2mins., add onion, stirring, and cook mixture for 4 mins. Reduce
heat to low, add flour & cook the roux, stirring, for 3 mins.
Whisk in the cheddar, whisking until sauce is smooth and keep sauce
warm. In a large pot of boiling water, cook orzo until al dente
drain, and stir into sauce. Turn mixture into buttered l0″ oval
gratin dish, sprinkle with crumbs, and bake in middle of 450 oven
for l5 mins. or until golden and bubbly.
Serves 2 as a main course. Gourmet Jan. l992