Orzo salad

Its good to get back to the basics.

Maths. Clothing. Lifestyle. Shoes. Food....you name it and the mantra applies. After days of cooking, eating, writing and thinking about new recipes and old ones together, the brain just shuts down. It can't think anymore. And no point forcing it along. Cos it just won't go baby :) So time to pause, and get back to the basics. And one more good things about basics. There ain't much to gab about. 

So here is my new concoction. One I have been carrying as lunch, eating for dinner and just feeling good about the goodies and the basic ways of eating and living  it entails

So check out the colors, and simplicity and versatility of the salad, and my new casserole :)

Orzo salad. But make it rice, pasta any salad as you want to. 

Ingredients

1/2 lb of orzo. The small rice shaped pasta. You can also use any short cut pasta or even rice.

Go to the market and grab as many colors are you like.  Whatever floats your boat. I used the following

Carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, red and green bell peppers, 1/2 a big onion, one big beet, some spinach and tons of parsley (you can use cilantro too) . You can of course throw in your grilled veggies ( I sometimes grill all the veggies with 2-3 cloves of garlic and 2 tbsf ol olive oil at 450 F in the oven for 20 mins) or sauted chicken ( seasoned with salt and pepper) and roasted potatoes (with paprika and garlic at 475F for 20 mins), some toasted nuts and crumbly cheese and make it uber gourmet too. But me kept it very basic.

Tons of lemon juice ( 1 lime), salt and black pepper and a 1/4th cup of balsamic vinegar for dressing.  Balsamic vinegar is optional. You can't get more simple than that :)

Well all you do is 'nothing'

Okay, boil water and add some salt. Add the orzo and cook till al dente. 6-8 minutes. Meanwhile chop your veggies and layer em in the the salad bin (I used my new casserole and you want something huge to toss all those veggies). Drain the pasta well and add it to the veggies. Add in tons of lemon juice and toss. Season with salt pepper and balsamic vinegar. 

Take it out, eat it in front of your TV or carry it for lunch. Whisk it as you move into new apartments or just feel like veggie time :)  Feels perfect and fresh anywhere and everywhere :)

Happy eating and healthy living