Rice Pilaf with Orzo

Recipe created by our Grass Roots partner Wellness by Ariana. Ariana is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and the founder of Kalí Zó̱i — meaning "good life" in Greek. After navigating PCOS and fatigue firsthand, Ariana is passionate about helping women nourish their bodies without the noise, rules or guilt. Join Ariana over on Instagram @arianaradjenovic or visit her at WellnessByAriana.com

Some of my most vivid food memories come from a small Greek and Turkish restaurant called ARAP on the island of Kos, Greece, a place that sits at the crossroads of two rich culinary traditions. The food reflects exactly that balance, built on simple, honest ingredients prepared with the kind of confidence that only comes from generations of doing things the same way.

This recipe is my version of the grilled soutzoukakia I order every single time I visit, spiced with cumin, shaped into long ovals, and seared until the outside develops a deep, slightly charred crust. It leans closer to a Turkish köfte in technique and is, without question, one of the best things you will ever eat.

As a holistic health coach and the founder of Kalí Zó̱i, a wellness brand rooted in my Greek heritage, food has always been central to how I approach health. Kalí Zó̱i means “good life” in Greek, and to me that begins with eating real food that connects you to where you come from. Grassroots Grass-Fed Ground Beef and Pork Blend is exactly the kind of ingredient I build meals around, offering high-quality protein with no additives and raised the way animals should be.

Paired with a simple rice pilaf, homemade pita, horiatiki, and tzatziki, this becomes a full Mediterranean spread that comes together beautifully and is sure to wow, the kind of meal that makes you slow down and truly enjoy eating, which is the whole point.