Orzo & Tomato Sauce w Feta

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Use a paring knife to make an X at bottom of each tomato and remove woody core. Set a bowl of ice water next to stove. Once water boils, add tomatoes to pot and blanch 10 seconds, then plunge into ice water. Peel off skins and rough chop. Add orzo to pot and boil about 7 min until just shy of al dente. Strain and toss dry. Set large saute pan over medium-low and swirl in olive oil. Add cumin and toast until aromatic, 20 seconds. Add onion and cook until translucent, 3 min. Stir in garlic, bay leaves, and paprika and cook until aromatic 1-2 min.Add tomatoes and simmer until soft and juices reduce slightly, 3-5 min. If pan looks dry, add a splash of water. Season to taste Stir in orzo and simmer until pasta is al dente, 2 min. Serve with crumbled feta and oregano on top. Finish with a generous drizzle of olive oil.

Tomatoes 3 pounds, as juicy as possible
EVOO 4 T plus extra for drizzling
Cumin Seeds 2 tsp crushed
Onion 1 large yellow, diced
Garlic 2 large cloves, finely grated
Chili Flakes 2 tsp
Bay Leaves 2
Paprika 2 tsp
Feta 7 oz
​Oregano leaves from 8 sprigss