can you steam orzo?

[fizzgig]

i've got a bag of it, but i don't really have a way of draining it. can i put it in the rice basket in my steamer or use a rice cooker?

if i can't, does anyone have any suggestions?

edit for clarification

[Paper Roses]

1. Coffee filter might work Elastic round paper filters strongly to

the top of a bowl, leaving a slight depression (I'd still hold onto it). If you use one of the wedge shaped gold filters, can you suspend that directly over a coverless coffee pot or other pan so the water will drain through? I'd bet about a coffee mug size scoop of cooked pasta would drain through quickly. Transfer to another plate and repeat.

Either way would probably a little time and I think you'd have to drain in smallish size batches.

[hippywife]

2. I would say no.

Can you pick up and inexpensive colander or large slotted spoon with small holes?

[Warpy]

3. Orzo is pasta, not rice, so steaming is not going to work

Like all pasta, it needs to be drowned in a lot of liquid to cook properly.

Try it in soups if you don't have a ten cent thrift shop strainer.

[AwakeAtLast]

4. I may be crazy

but I almost think it could be cooked risotto-style. I saw a link here somewhere that pasta can be cooked that way. It absorbs the liquid as it cooks.

Call me crazy, but I think it could work!

[hippywife]

5. You may well still be crazy, LOL, but...

I think you are recalling this: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/02/dining/02mini.html?_r=1&hpw

:hi:

[AwakeAtLast]

6. That's it!

Thanks!

[fizzgig]

10. excellent

thank you :hi:

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

7. We make it risotto style all the time and it is delish. nt

[Dora]

11. Yes.

I think it was Bittman or one of his colleagues in the New York Times has had a couple of articles about cooking pastas with less water.

[Phentex]

8. A pot with a lid will work...

unless I am reading this wrong.

You boil it. You put a lid on it and hold it over the sink. Lift the lid just a nip to let the water drain out.

I have cooked pasta everywhere...camping...the beach...never take a colander, lol! :)

[Warpy]

13. Same here, it's how my mother did it

I'd just add the caveat to cover your lid holding forearm with a dishtowel. The steam is uncomfortable at best.

[surrealAmerican]

9. Could you perhaps cook it like couscous?

Give it just as much water as it will absorb, no draining necessary.

[fizzgig]

12. thanks everyone

i tried it in the rice cooker and it came out kind of like a half-assed risotto. it wasn't the best thing i've ever made, but it was still pretty tasty once i seasoned it.