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STUFFING: Melt butter with olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add diced onion, cooking 4 minutes or until onions are translucent and golden brown.
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Add celery; cook 4 minutes longer.
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In a large bowl, combine the drained orzo, cooked celery and onion, cranberries, nuts, basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.
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Toss gently.
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At this point, if desired, the orzo is now ready to be stuffed.
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Variations:
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As a SIDE DISH: Heat up the olive oil and butter in a saute pan on medium heat. Saute the celery, onion and UNCOOKED orzo pasta until lightly browned.
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Add 3 cups water or broth and bring to boil. Cover pan, reduce heat and simmer on low for 20 minutes or until liquid has evaporated.
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Remove from heat and stir in the cranberries, pecans, fresh basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
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To make it as a SALAD: boil orzo and cook until tender. Drain and rinse under cool water. Drain again. Transfer orzo to a salad bowl. Add the diced onion, minced celery and shredded basil to the pasta. In a small non-reactive bowl, whisk together about 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice (play around with the proportion and amount of oil and lemon juice as desired), salt and pepper. Stir the vinaigrette into the orzo. FYI: the butter is omitted.
