Manestra

Manestra at its most basic and, in my opinion, best! A soupy pasta dish usually made with orzo, you cook the pasta in the sauce for a starchy, comforting result. And we all need some carb-comfort nowadays, am I right?!
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I used hilopites today as I didn’t have orzo, and my son loves them. Essentially any tiny pasta shape will work! Beyond that, you need just water, olive oil, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Top the finished dish with grated cheese if you like! Like so many Greek dishes, this humble little meal is so much more than the sum of its parts ❤️

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#RECIPE
3 cups water
1 heaping tbsp tomato paste
1 cup small pasta, like orzo
2 tbsp olive oil, or to taste
1 tsp salt, or to taste
black pepper, to taste
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Bring the water to a boil. Stir in remaining ingredients. Decrease heat to a gentle boil. Cook, stirring frequently, for 8-9 minutes, or until pasta is tender. If the mixture becomes too dry, add a little hot water as needed. Serve with an additional drizzle of olive oil and/or grated cheese on top.
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