Thursday, July 9, 2009

A Summer Pasta Salad




Today is Foodie Friday hosted by Designs by Gollum and today I am sharing a great pasta salad that I enjoy during these hot summer days.

I grow herbs and enjoy cooking with them. They are so very easy to grow and can even be grown in pots on a patio. They give such wonderful fresh flavor to so many dishes. If you are tenative about growing herbs, DON'T. They are so easy and the rewards are amazing. There is something about going to my patio, clipping herbs to go in a dish that I am preparing that is so very rewarding. It's a "feel good thing."









Herbed Orzo Salad with Tomatoes and Feta Cheese

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 T fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 T lemon zest
1 tsp honey
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup Olive Oil
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 # orzo
2 cups halved grape tomatoes
7 oz. crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh oregano
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts

1. Whisk vinegar, lemon juice, honey and garlic in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil.

2. Bring broth to a boil. Stir in orzo and reduce heat to medium. Cover partially, cook until tender but still firm to bite. Drain and transer to large bowl tossing frequently until cool.

3. Mix tomatoes, feta, herbs and green onions into orzo. Add vinaigrette and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temp. Add pine nuts and toss. Serve at room temp. and with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Add a little Roasted Chicken and you have a one dish meal. It's a "GOOD THING".

This is delicious and I hope you will try it.

Thank you for visiting my blog and there are lots of other wonderful recipes posted at Designs by Gollum. So check them out.

Have a lovely day.

11 comments:

  1. That looks like such a healthy AND delicious recipe, and I know my husband would love this! Thanks so much for sharing with us...

    Happy Foodie Friday!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  2. yum, i know this will taste great!

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  3. I love that recipe, sounds and looks yummy! I had one written before but clicked too fast so it didn't show up.

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  4. Great looking salad - was looking for something different for the 4th..now I can add this one to my file!!

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  5. Oh yum, I love that it uses orzo!

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  6. Delicious, healthy, fresh -- exactly what a summer salad should be. Love orzo, too!
    Cass

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  7. What a great recipe for a light and healthy summer meal. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe with us. Have a wonderful day.

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  8. I love growing herbs and I grow tomatoes too. Half way there. Now if I could make my own feta. No, I'll just buy that! Yum!

    Christi @ A Southern Life
    http://asouthernlife.com

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  9. Oh my gosh that looks amazing.

    I am trying to grow herbs but the heat is terrible.

    Laura

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  10. Hello Carolyn, This looks so fresh and good. I love the colors. Have a wonderful weekend...

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  11. Carolyn, your pasta salad looks wonderful!

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