Name: _Acini di Pepe_ Pasta with Garlic and Olives
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: Makes 6 (side dish) servings
Ingredients: 1/2 pound acini di pepe or orzo (1 1/4 cups); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 tablespoon unsalted butter; 4 garlic cloves, minced (1 1/2 tablespoon); 1/4 teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes; 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, quartered

Small pasta like acini di pepe and orzo make wonderful room-temperature salads, since they mix so thoroughly with the other ingredients and never go stiff. Garlic, olives, and chile flakes lend a lot of zip to this quick side dish you'll come back to all summer.

Cooks' note:

Pasta can be made 4 hours ahead and kept at room temperature.

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