Cucumber Lemon Orzo Salad

 8 oz orzo pasta

1/4 cup EVOO

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest

5-6 persian cucumbers, diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

salt and pepper to taste

feta cheese

Cook the orzo per package directions. Drain. Combine olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice. Add cucumbers, dressing and herbs and toss. Salt and pepper to taste and add feta cheese on top. Also pairs well with olives or red onions.

Chinese Chicken Salad

1 lb chicken breasts

10-12oz farfalle pasta (optional, I use about 3/4 of a 1 pound box)

6-8oz wonton squares (I use about 1/2-3/4 of a 12oz package)

canola oil for frying

1 head romaine lettuce

6 stalks green onions, thinly sliced

2 Tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

DRESSING

1/2 cup canola oil

2 Tablespoons sesame oil

6 Tablespoons vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place raw chicken on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for about 25-40 minutes (depending on size of chicken) or until chicken is baked through. Let rest for about 5 minutes and then shred or dice. Set aside. (or just use rotisserie chicken, like me!)

In the meantime, if you are adding the farfalle pasta, cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Fill a saucepan up to 1 inch, with canola oil. Heat over medium-high heat. Slice wonton squares into 4 strips, about 1/2 inch wide. When oil is heated, carefully place a few strips into the oil, not overlapping. Wontons should immediately start to bubble and cook. If they don't, your oil is not hot enough. Carefully cook in oil until strips are bubbly and cooked through, and barely starting to turn golden on the edges. Wontons will cook really quick if your oil is super hot. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove to a paper towel to cool and drain. (Make sure to remove wontons before they turn golden, they will continue to cook once removed from the oil.) Repeat until all wonton strips are cooked. If wontons start browning too quickly, turn down heat to medium or medium-low.

Wash and dry lettuce and shred. Set aside.

Pour cooked pasta, diced chicken, sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds into a large bowl.

Pour all dressing ingredients into a shaker bottle or large glass measuring cup. Shake or whisk dressing until combined and sugar dissolves.

Pour about 1/4 cup of dressing over the pasta and chicken mixture. Stir to combine.

When ready to serve add lettuce and wontons, reserving some wontons to garnish on top. Drizzle with dressing and toss until coated. Garnish with reserved wontons. Serve immediately.

NOTES

Toasted sesame seeds can be found at the grocery store on the asian isle. You can also use regular sesame seeds and toast them in a pan over the stove or use them un-toasted. Add wontons at the very end so they stay crunchy. This makes a big salad, perfect for a crowd when serving with other items. Half the recipe if you are making it for dinner for 4-6 people. Maybe just make some extra wontons if you are making half a recipe, everyone always likes extra wontons.

Rice Salad with tomatoes, cucumber and feta

7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped (1 1/2 cups)
3 cloves garlic, minced (2 tablespoons)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 cups long-grain brown rice
1 pound small heirloom or cherry tomatoes, halved (3 cups)
3 medium Kirby cucumbers, peeled, quartered lengthwise, and sliced crosswise (3 cups)
3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
8 ounces feta, crumbled (1 1/2 cups)
1 cup lightly packed flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped if large
1 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped if large 

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high. Swirl in 2 tablespoons oil. Add onion, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Return saucepan to medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon oil and rice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until nutty and golden in places, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 2 1/4 cups water; bring to a boil. Stir once, reduce heat to low, and cover. Cook until rice is tender and water has been absorbed, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 5 minutes.

2. Transfer rice to bowl with onion mixture; let cool about 20 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, cucumbers, vinegar, and remaining 1/4 cup oil. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in cheese, parsley, and mint; serve.

Marilyn's Chicken Pasta Salad

Cook according to package directions:
12 oz. Bowtie Pasta
12 oz. Spiral Colored Pasta
2 Cups Chopped Celery
4 Green Onions, chopped
1 Cup Cashews
1 Cup Red Grapes, halved
20 oz. can Pinapple tidbits
4-6 Chicken Breasts, boiled and cubed

Dressing Mixture:
1 Bottle Kraft Coleslaw Dressing
1 Cup Mayonnaise
Lemon Juice to taste
Salt & Pepper

Orzo Summer Pasta Salad

16 oz Orzo pasta

2 cups halved red/yellow grape or cherry tomatoes

1 cup slivered almonds, toasted

2 green onions, chopped

2 Tblsp. fresh basil leaves, shredded in chiffonade (thinly sliced)

4-5 ounces feta cheese crumbles

Dressing:

1 tsp Dijon mustard

½ cup olive oil

2 lemons, juiced or 2 Tblsp. Lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

 

Bring a large pot of salted water to boiling and cook orzo for 8-9 minutes. Cook to tender but firm, don’t overcook. Drain and let cool.

Whisk together dressing ingredients and let sit a few minutes. Combine and toss orzo with tomatoes, almonds, green onions, feta, and basil. Toss with dressing and add salt and pepper to taste.