The humble, homey casserole can be dressed up with luxe ingredients.
STEVE GOLOB
Chef
University of British Columbia
“Tuxedo Orzo Pasta is a very ‘dressed up' casserole. First of all, it has some classy colors: black and white. This is food as fashion. The black color comes from squid ink.
“With the aroma of fresh basil, cheese and tomatoes, the customers smile when they smell this. It has a Mediterranean flavor profile, with butter beans, olive oil, flat-leaf Italian parsley and roasted garlic.
“We serve the orzo at both lunch and dinner from our steam table. Orzo (rice-shaped pasta) has a different look from penne, spaghetti or rotini. It's just a fancier way to have pasta.
“Personally, I don't like calling these dishes ‘casserole.' The word reminds me of those 70s dishes like tuna fish casserole with crushed potato chips.”
