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!

Pioneer Woman's Creamy Lemon Basil Potato Salad

We were having friends over for a BBQ and I had a whole bunch of red potatoes I needed to use so I went to PW's website to search for "potatoes".  This recipe came up and it sounded right up my alley.  It is so easy to throw together.  The only time-consuming part is boiling the potatoes.  I made it the night before the BBQ though so I wasn't rushing for them to finish and that way the flavors could meld overnight.  It turned out so, so yummy.  I like it much better than normal potato salad.  I will definitely make this for a potluck sometime.  YUM!  Here's the simple recipe.

Baked Lemon Pasta with Mushrooms and Basil

I love Pioneer Woman's Baked Lemon Pasta.  It is so easy to make and delicious in every way.  I decided I'd add some mushrooms this time and use basil instead of parsley because basil is the best herb there is, and I have a ton in my garden.  I loved the addition of mushrooms - very yummy.

Here is the recipe.

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.

Pioneer Woman's Baked Lemon Pasta

I made Pioneer Woman's Baked Lemon Pasta for dinner.  Instead of parsley I used basil.  Instead of white spaghetti I used whole wheat.  It was extremely easy to make, quick to throw together and DEEEE-LISH!  I will use this recipe again and again.  I want to try it cold next time -- in the summer.

I served it with hard crusted garlic bread.  YUM!!!

Lemon Blueberry Pancakes

This past weekend my family had breakfast up in the mountains.  Everything tastes better up there - but these were scrumptious and would be just as so at home.  

Of course, everything amazing comes from The Pioneer Woman's website.  HERE is her recipe for Lemon Blueberry Pancakes.  I had to double the recipe to feed my family and I decided to add extra lemon juice to my batter because I wanted a more overwhelming lemon taste, instead of really subtle.  I am glad I did because they were deliciously lemony!  Top them with butter and syrup, of course.  

If you love lemon and you love blueberries - you simply must make these!

Now if only I could perfect the flipping/timing of pancake-cooking.  Grrr!