My alterations: 3t dried thyme (had no oregano) 15 oz canned unsalted diced tomatoes, lightly
drained (fresh are
out of season and mealy right now) Caramelized / seared all veggies, seasoning while cooking (instead
of seasoning after mixing) Cooked covered until
bubbling — Renny, maybe your orzo didn't cook through to release the starch?
Most days when I wash my dishes, I cart bowlfuls
of water
out to my hopelessly brown California yard and dump it, the whole time snarling at the neighbor's
bubbling sprinklers and thinking that even if the yard won't green up past a pale yellow, at least the water isn't going down the
drain.