Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Garden Fresh Orzo Salad



We went to a graduation open house back in June and one of the salads that was served was similar.  I doctored it up to my taste.....

1 pound orzo pasta (little rice pasta)
3-4 cucumbers, peeled, seeds removed and diced
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1 bunch of cilantro, stems removed and minced
3-4 whole lemons, juiced (1/4-1/2 cup)
fresh ground pepper
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved (or the whole container) 

Cook orzo slightly less than package directions (my package said, 9, I cooked for 8).  Drain and rinse with cold water.  Move to large bowl and drizzle with olive oil (about 1/4 cup) to prevent it from clumping. 
Add the remaining vegetables (onion, cilantro, cucumbers and red pepper).
Then stir in 1/4cup to 1/2 cup lemon juice.  Test it at 1/4 and add more if needed.  Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper.
If it is too tart, drizzle a little bit of olive oile.
Right before serving, garnish with grape tomatoes.

Do not salt before serving!  The cucumbers will weep....salt as needed on our plate