Monday, January 26, 2009

Presto Pasta!

I haven't a clue why, but I can't remember the last time I had pasta! This weekend I made up a pasta salad to enjoy for dinner this week. Ready and waiting when I get home, that's the way I like it ;-) This is definately adaptable to whatever you have in your fridge, too.



Orzo Salad
inspired by this recipe
yield: 3 servings



6oz WW orzo
1 bag of artichoke hearts, defrosted, drained, and chopped (or canned)
1c cherry tomatoes, sliced
4 roasted garlic cloves
3T pine nuts, lightly toasted
1/3-1/2c crumbled goat cheese
1 can tuna (chicken, or chickpeas would also be fantastic), optional

dressing:
zest of 1/2 lemon
salt, pepper to taste
equal amounts of red wine vinegar and EVOO (I think it was ~2T each)


Cook orzo until al dente and drain. While orzo is cooking, prepare dressing by combining vinegar, zest, s/p and then whisk in EVOO. Add remaining ingredients to a large bowl, drizzle dressing, toss to combine thoroughly. The flavors got better as they marinated in the fridge :) It was good warmed up, or cold, too, so pick your poison.


This comes just in time to submit to Ruth's Presto Pasta Nights, hosted this week by Erin at The Skinny Gourmet! I remember seeing this pop up on everyone's blogs back before I started my own blog, so I'm excited to finally participate :)


And one last thing, anyone with creative snack ideas, head on over to the contest at Oh She Glows for a giveaway!

39 comments:

  1. that looks so good!!! i love orzo!

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  2. mmm. i love the artichokes. there is something so wonderful about pastas just sitting in the fridge for you, huh?

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  3. I've never cooked with orzo. I have a box of quinoa pasta noodles that has been in my cabinet forever. I think you just inspired me. Artichokes...yum!

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  4. This is great! I would love it with chickpeas!

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  5. I love veggieful pasta salads :)

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  6. As much as I love cooking, I really appreciate being able to come home from work and not have to worry about cooking! Meals like this are perfect!!

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  7. This looks so great! I bet it would work well with any type of pasta.

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  8. I can't wait to try that! I have not had artichokes in a while and they sound amazing!!

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  9. Your pasta looks great - I love to make pasta dishes on weeknights, so quick and easy!

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  10. yayy for the cook ahead meal! Orzo is so awesome too! Good luck in the contest. How is the weather up your way?

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  11. oh my goodness I am LOVING this recipe!! Such a great combo of flavors :)

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  12. I love orzo! What a lovely salad!

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  13. While I love artichoke dip, never been a huge fan of artichokes on their own.

    Although I saw on FoodTV where they grilled them, and they looked so good!

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  14. Mmm I love orzo! Thanks for the recipe.

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  15. This is such a wonderful salad. It's delicious for sure.
    Cheers,
    Elra

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  16. Great recipe! I love orzo because it cooks so quickly and has a great texture. And it's so diverse.

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  17. Yum. I love orzo salad, but I've never tried one with tuna. Sounds super flavorful. Thanks for contributing to PPN!

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  18. That sounds wonderful. Always forget about using orzo pasta to make a salad and I never buy artichoke hearts. Looks yummy.

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  19. I usually hate pasta salads but this one has all of my favorite stuff in it, so I'm definitely saving the recipe!! :)

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  20. I love making pasta with whatever I have a refrigerator. Love your version with orzo and artichokes - Delicious!

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  21. Awesome combo here! I would devour this too.

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  22. Looking good. Orzo is great and with artichokes, even better!

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  23. Great dish, thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.

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  24. That looks great. You've had a few fancy days lately!

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  25. ive never tried orzo- except the rice a roni kind. which is blasphemous Im sure.

    Kelly Turner
    www.everygymsnightmare.com

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  26. Quick fix meals are what I always look forward to. Looks delicious!

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  27. i really have to pick up artichokes ASAP!!! that dish looks amazing :)

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  28. All my favorite flavors... Sounds delicious!

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  29. I love this. Orzo is quickly becoming one of my favorite dinners, and the tuna in it is an added bonus.

    How can you not eat pasta? Don't you know it's an independent food group?

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  30. Wholesome pasta ,the tuna and artichokes combo sounds super good:)

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  31. Oh my that pasta looks great. Really want to try this recipe!

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  32. I can't believe I have never tried orzo! I hadn't heard of the Presto Pasta nights, but this looks like an excellent submission!!

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  33. This pasta salad sound amazing! Very light with a bunch of tasty add-in's!!

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  34. A great looking pasta salad. I love the addition of artichokes as well. I never knew that they came frozen.

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  35. oh wow - this looks incredible.

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  36. Oh my gosh, that looks amazing!

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  37. Hey, I saw your dish on Presto Pasta and thought it looked really good! I am a student in Boston and I think our cooking and eating mentality is very similar You've got some great recipes on here and I look forward to seeing more.

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