Orzo Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumber, Feta & Lemon Basil Dressing

This was so delicious I can't even tell you.  It is so light, summery and flavorful.  I mixed a few recipes into one.

Ingredients


1 1/2 cups orzo
1 large cucumber, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1 cup feta cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Lemon Basil Dressing

 3/4 cup basil leaves, packed
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
A large splash of white balsamic vinegar

Cook and drain orzo pasta and run cold water over the top to stop the cooking, while in colander.  Transfer to a large serving bowl. 

Make the lemon basil dressing by throwing all ingredients into a blender and blending well.

Toss cucumber, tomato, feta, lemon basil dressing and salt and pepper with the orzo.  Serve cold or at room temperature.

This was a real crowd pleaser!

Orzo with Basil, Tomatoes and Feta

I just threw this together with things I had at home for a barbeque yesterday.  I love all the ingredients so throwing them together couldn't be wrong. 

Orzo with Basil, Tomatoes and Feta

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1 cup of grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup crumbled feta
15-20 basil leaves, chopped
About 3-4 Tablespoons (as much or as little as you prefer, really) basil-flavored olive oil (or regular if that's all you have)

Cook the orzo pasta, drain and let cool slightly.  Add halved tomatoes, basil leaves, feta and olive oil and mix.  I served mine cold. 

Fresh & yummy.

penne with spinach, garbanzos and feta

I made this recipe from Cooking Light last night.  It was SO quick to throw together - and for someone like me who is starving by 5 PM, fast recipes are perfect.  I made my pasta with wheat penne instead of cavatappi.  It was pretty good - not amazing, but good, and worth making again for an easy work night meal.

Curried Couscous with Broccoli and Feta

I made this Curried Couscous the other night and my husband loved it!  I don't love raisins, so that was my only real complaint.  That and the fact that I was hungry like an hour after dinner.  Next time I would serve this alongside baked chicken or something.  It was really flavorful though, and SO fast.  I loved how fast it was to make.  I'd recommend it if you like curry flavored dishes.  It's also pretty healthy!

Feta and Couscous Stuffed Peppers

This is my new favorite healthy recipe! It tastes sooo delicious. I added some mushrooms to the veggie mix and used caraway seeds instead of fennel. This makes a ton -- way more than the recipe says. We will be eating it for a couple of days - and that's a good thing.  The only downside is it's not super duper filling... you'll probably need a snack after. 

Here is the recipe.

This one is a keeper!