Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

From the Barefoot Contessa, this was one of the best pasta salads I have ever tasted. It was so flavorful due to the roasting of the veggies & fresh simple ingredients like garlic & lemon juice.

I made this last Sunday a few hours before both sets of our parents came over for a BBQ & there just wasn't enough. Everyone devoured it & would have had more. This was so delicious I am planning to make it again this Memorial Day weekend as we have a couple of friends coming over for another BBQ. C'mon by!!!!!


1 small eggplant, peeled & 3/4-inch diced
1 red bell pepper, 1-inch diced
1 yellow bell pepper, 1-inch diced
1 red onion, peeled & 1-inch diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup good olive oil
1-1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lb orzo

For the dressing:
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/3 cup good olive oil
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

4 scallions, sliced thin (white & green parts)
3/4 lb. good feta, 1/2-inch diced
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted (optional)
15 fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips (optional)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the eggplant, bell peppers, onion & garlic with the olive oil, salt & pepper on a large baking sheet. Roast for 40 minutes, until browned, turning once with a spatula.

Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7 to 9 minutes, until tender. Drain & transfer to a large serving bowl. 3. Add roasted vegetables to the orzo, scraping all the liquid & seasonings from roasting pan into the pasta bowl.

For the dressing, combine lemon juice, olive oil, salt & pepper & pour on orzo & vegetables. Add the scallions, pignolis, feta & basil.


{My Thoughts}

Instead of using plain feta & adding fresh basil, I always buy the reduced fat tomato basil feta. And rarely do I add the pine nuts.

This dish is also great at room temp but we prefer it cold


{Click Here to Print Recipe}



Come on back tomorrow night for the amazing Grilled Chicken Piri Piri that paired so perfectly with this delicious salad. Just in time for Memorial Day Weekend!

24 comments:

Kristina P. said...

Looks delicious as usual!

Jen said...

I love roasted vegetables. I make something very similar to this. I like the idea of using orzo.

Danyele Easterhaus said...

i need this right now! it looks amazing! i might have to feature this one on project again...is that ok???

Ronda said...

Making this Sunday with filet and chicken on the grill! I already love it, can't wait!
XOXO

~Marie~ said...

I was just watching the Barefoot Contessa the other day and she was making this mouth watering raost beef sandwich. She was also making some sort of berries and merenge dessert and I missed that part. That was what I really wanted to see the recipe to. I will have to go to her website and see if I can find it.

This looks really yummy by the way.

starnes family said...

Isn't she lovely? The Barefoot Contessa is one of my all time favorites.

Pam said...

You can't beat roasted veggies and I love orzo. I can't wait to make this one!

MissBliss said...

delish!!! truly mouthwatering...

sassy stephanie said...

Are pine nuts not healthy? I always thought there were??? THis sounds wonderful.

Melissa Lester said...

That dish looks so fresh and colorful! I'll bet leftovers -- should you ever have any -- would be good the next day too!

Anonymous said...

This looks delicious, and what a fabulous way to eat all our garden veggies. Thanks for sharing!

The Blonde Duck said...

This would be great for a bbq!

Anonymous said...

I love orzo and this dish looks so colorful and healthy! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

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Michelle said...

Wow, that looks so darn good.

Kerstin said...

It does look very flavorful! I love roasted veggies too. Definitely the perfect dish to take to a BBQ!

Life, Love And Lola said...

Aloha! This dish looks excellent! I am SO making this!

Debbie said...

Yum! Every ingredient sounds perfect.

Tabitha Blue said...

Bookmarked and saved!!! I am SO making this!!

:)
~Tabitha~

freshmommyblog.com

tiarastantrums said...

looks delicious - I will try this - I never know what to use orzo for??

Unknown said...

Perfect and simple! I love it!

Chef Chuck said...

I like the mix ORZO!!=YUMM!

tiarastantrums said...

I am here this morning looking for recipes for Father's Day - I am hosting for the (meanies) hubbies family - sure to impress with your piri piri chx and this salad!!

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