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!

Basil Balsamic

I made this basil balsamic last night.  I think I've found the secret to GREAT dressing - WHITE balsamic vinegar instead of just balsamic vinegar.  It's so yummy.  This took minutes to throw together and was the best dressing I've had in a long time.  I'm obsessed with it.  I used fresh basil from my garden and I halved this recipe to make a smaller batch.  I put it over a salad with cucumbers and tomatoes from our garden, too.  Yay for harvest season! Here's the recipe.

Curried Chicken Pitas

I made a double batch of this for my husband and I to take for lunches throughout this week.  It made a TON of chicken salad and so I was worried if it didn't taste good it would be a huge waste.  But no, it turned out delicious!  I am actually excited to eat lunch at work now, which is a nice change.  The pear in it is my favorite and the curry isn't overpowering.  Instead of cooking my own chicken I used canned shredded chicken - so much easier and just as tasty, I'm sure.  This would also make for a great change from the regular chicken salad sandwiches served at showers, etc. and give everyone a little surprise (cranberries, pears, curry). 

Here is the recipe!

BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad

 

I have never cooked with quinoa but tried it in Peru and really liked it.  I bought a bag and sought some recipes that call for it.  I found one on Pinterest that sounded right up our alley.  I made this BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad last night and it is delicious!  I made the BBQ chicken in the crock pot all day and then the rest was easy to throw together after work.  I definitely recommend this as a pretty healthy dish to make - but don't plan on it feeding more than 2 of you. 

Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad

I made THIS for the 4th and it was easy & delicious.  It's definitely a good BBQ food.  I hear it's better the second day after the flavors have melded more.  I hope so, since we have leftovers!

Use all of the sauce... do not skimp.

Cobb Salad

I was on vacation for awhile and missed my kitchen while I was away.  It was nice to get back home and start making homemade meals again.  Although I didn't miss doing the dishes.  We have a ton of lettuce in our garden so I decided to make a cobb salad.  I found THIS RECIPE in my Taste of Home magazine.  The dressing was so delicious and this was fresh and yummy.  A favorite for summer, that's for sure.  Recommended!

Skinnytaste Black Bean, Tomato, Cucumber and Avocado Salad

I am desperate for summer side dish ideas.  Skinnytaste.com has a lot of them and I tried one last night to serve with sloppy joe leftovers.  This salad is pretty much 100% healthy, DELICIOUS and so fresh tasting.  It's going to be my new go-to side salad all summer.  YAY for fresh veggies!

Green Bean Potato Salad

I made this Green Bean Potato Salad last night and served it with steak.  It's pretty healthy and tastes really good.

Green Bean Potato Salad (adapted from this recipe)
1 lb. green beans
8 small red potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Salt
Pepper

Boil potatoes.  Boil green beans.  Mix together with the last four ingredients.

Simple & delicious!

Apple Poppyseed Spinach Salad

I loosely based this recipe on THIS one, but it's one of those things you can just throw together with anything you have on hand and like.

baby spinach
slices of a sweet apple (I used ones off my tree in the backyard)
goat cheese
craisins
roasted walnuts
apple poppy seed dressing (SEE THIS POST)


This is super delicious and very easy. I love fall salads!  This would be good for Thanksgiving too.