Shrimp and Scallop Orzo with Cherry Tomatoes

OMG. that is all i have to say about this recipe.


Shrimp and Scallop Orzo with Cherry Tomatoes and Romano Cheese
adapted from here**

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked orzo (rice-shaped pasta) ** i used a box - feeding lots of hungry shovelers
  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound Sea Scallops, halved **bay scallops work fine too, i just dislike them
• 1 chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
• 1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic ** i used way more, like usual
  
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 *container cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) grated fresh pecorino Romano cheese
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil ** i used way more
  

Preparation

Cook the pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat (or don't omit...whatevs).
While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper evenly over shrimp. Add shrimp to pan; cook 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan. Do the same with the scallops. instructions how to pan sear them here**.

Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to pan. Add onion, garlic, and red pepper; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add tomatoes, and cook 3 minutes or until tomatoes begin to soften, stirring occasionally. Stir in pasta and shrimp; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat, and stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, cheese, and basil.

some comments received:
"omg mads, this is UNREAL"
"mads, seriously, this is the best thing you've ever cooked"
"mads, make this again. tomorrow"