Summer Orzo Salad

While searching for a side dish to go with the beer can hens I came across this in my Google Reader from Apple A Day.  I LOVE orzo and was very excited to try it.  I’m so glad I did.  It was wonderful! I made a few small tweaks – they are in parenthesis.

INGREDIENTS
4C. Chicken Broth (I used vegetable broth b/c my vegetarian brother was dining with us)
1 1/2C. Orzo
1 (15-ounce) Can Garbanzo Beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2C. Grape Tomatoes, halved
3/4C. Chopped Red Onion (I used green onions b/c I prefer the milder flavor)
1/2C. Chopped Fresh Basil Leaves
1/4C. Chopped Fresh Mint Leaves (did not use)
3/4C. Vinaigrette dressing (I used an olive oil basil vinaigrette)
S&P to taste

DIRECTIONS
Bring broth to a boil in a large pot.  Add the orzo and cook according to package directions.  Drain, rinse with cool water and transfer to a large bowl.

Toss the orzo with the beans, tomatoes, onion, basil, mint, and enough vinaigrette to coat.

Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and refrigerate to let the flavors come together.  Remove a few minutes before serving.

–

Husband Rating – 3 out of 5 – “Good, but not quite my thing.”

Read Full Post »

A Housewarming Party! Crock Pot Pulled Pork & Italian Pasta Salad

Today we hosted a housewarming party.  All of our family and friends came over to see our new house.  It was so much fun!

On the menu was crock pot pulled pork sandwiches, Italian pasta salad, green salad, watermelon slices, brownies, orange cream cake and banana nut cake.  We had SO much food!  Everything was delicious.  Below are the pulled pork and pasta salad recipes.  The pasta salad is my own creation, the pork was inspired by the Beantown Baker – with a few tweaks of my own.

– –

Crock pot Pulled Pork

INGREDIENTS:
1 6-8lb. Pork Shoulder

Spice Rub:
2T. Ground Black Pepper
2t. Cayenne Pepper
2T. Chili Powder
1T. Hot Mexican Chili Powder
2T. Ground Cumin
2T. Brown Sugar
1T. Dried Italian Seasoning
4T. Paprika
1 T. Sea Salt
1T. Garlic Salt
1T. Table Sugar
1/4C Water
Barbecue sauce (amount will vary depending on how ‘wet’ you like your pulled pork)

DIRECTIONS:
Mix all spices in a large Pyrex dish.  Add pork to the dish and roll around to coat, making sure to coat all sides.

Cover with saran wrap and let sit overnight (or longer if you like).

Add pork and 1/4C. water to the crock pot and set to low.  Cook 10-12 hours.

Remove all liquid and shred pork with 2 forks.

Add BBQ sauce to the shredded pork until it is as wet as you’d like it – I probably used about 2-3C.

Serve on buns of your choice.

– –

Italian Pasta Salad

INGREDIENTS:
2lbs. Tri-Color Rotini Pasta
1 Bottle, Italian Dressing
Raw veggies of your choice (I used broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas, yellow peppers, carrots and red onion)

DIRECTIONS:
Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain and rinse in cold water.

Cut veggies and add to pasta in a large bowl.

Cover with dressing (I used about 3/4 bottle) and set in the fridge.  Of course you can eat this right away, but it is better if it sets overnight.

Read Full Post »