How Did I Make This???

Posted by on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

orzo saladTake a look at this salad.  I recall making this last summer.  I did not have a recipe to follow.  I just got in the kitchen and threw some things together that I thought would be tasty.  I remember making a saucy dressing and that I served it chilled.  Looks like I put some olives, and green onions, and tomatoes in there.  I’m pretty sure that’s fresh grated Parmesan on top for garnish.  And I recognize the fresh basil. Oh how I LOVE fresh basil.  Could someone please tell me how I made this because I want to eat it again and I did NOT write down the recipe.  Does anyone out there have a great recipe for orzo salad served cold with a creamy dressing/sauce and lots of fresh chopped veggies?

We are in the middle of a dreary winter here in Middle Tennessee.  I am dreaming of spring gardens and summer harvest of ripe tomatoes, green onions, fresh herbs and the like.  And I WANT this salad!  I suppose I will simply need to recreate it soon.  Until then, let us all be tormented by this beautiful photo that our son took on a warm, breezy summer day last year. Excuse me while I go nurse my cold, take some medicine, and drink the umpteenth cup of hot tea.

Filed in Soups and Salads | 4 responses so far

4 Responses to “How Did I Make This???”

  1. Dianne Joneson 19 Jan 2012 at 12:36 am 1

    Hope you’re feeling better and get over your cold soon. I’m always making meals and then can’t remember exactly what I did so now I try to write it down (if we enjoyed it) before I forget. Here is a recipe I have for cold orzo salad.
    Ingredients
    2/3 cup uncooked orzo pasta
    1/4 cup mayonnaise
    1/4 cup sour cream
    1 tablespoon cider vinegar
    1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    1 tablespoon yellow mustard
    2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
    1/2 teaspoon white sugar
    1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1 cup diced red onion
    1/2 cup pitted Greek olives, halved
    1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
    1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
    1/2cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
    1/4 cup minced fresh basil

    Directions
    1. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the orzo, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water in a colander set in the sink.
    2. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, cider vinegar, Dijon and yellow mustard, chives, sugar, black pepper, and salt in a bowl.
    3. Place the cooked and cooled pasta, red onion, olives, green pepper, red pepper, basil and tomatoes in a large bowl. Toss together with the dressing. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
    Hope this helps!

  2. Taraon 19 Jan 2012 at 6:30 am 2

    Thanks SO much for the recipe Dianne. It was a nice surprise for me this morning.

  3. Lori Fergusonon 19 Jan 2012 at 7:55 am 3

    Looks SO good!

    (and I’m even kinda relieved that I’m not the only one who doesn’t remember how to re-make a dish. My kids & hubby joke that they need to enjoy something the first time, because they’ll never get it that way again… lol)

  4. Taraon 20 Jan 2012 at 5:47 am 4

    Thanks Lori :)