mediterranean orzo salad...

over the weekend a couple girlfriends and i went to the Hollywood Bowl for some great tunes & a tasty BBQ potluck! i love potlucks, becuse it's a great way to introduce & share new recipes w. your gals! i made one of my favorite (fresh) pasta salads... and it turned out pretty good!
*try this recipe at home... it's super easy & is always a big hit (!)

H O W   T O . . . mediterranean orzo salad.

{recipe & photo by Sunset Magazine}

i n g r e d i e n t s :

8 ounces orzo pasta

• 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1/2 cup Greek olives such as kalamata, pitted and halved
• 4 ounces feta cheese, broken into large chunks
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves (*i subbed 1 cup kale instead of spinach)
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• freshly ground black pepper & salt

*my additions: 1/4 cup red onion, chopped & (sub spinach for) 1 cup kale, roughly chopped

i n s t r u c t i o n :

( s t e p  1. ) cook orzo according to package directions.

{this is the brand i like to use}

( s t e p  2. ) while the orzo is cooking, in a large bowl, combine tomatoes, basil, garlic, pine nuts, olives, feta, and spinach. when pasta is cooked & cooled, add orzo into the bowl too!

( * n o t e ) i added 1/4 cup chopped red onion & subbed 1 cup of roughly chopped kale (instead of spinach)...... it's what i had in the fridge!

• ( s t e p  3. ) in a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste; toss with salad.
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• {this is balsamic vinegar that i've been using lately... & i think it's deeeelish! you can find it at some italian deli's or... here.}

{ta-daa! all ready for a warm summer night at the Hollywood Bowl (!)}

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*oh (!) and keep in mind... this yummy salad tastes even better if it's prepared hours before serving... so all the flavors can marry together. enjoy!

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