Serious Eats: Recipes
Healthy & Delicious: Greek Orzo Salad
Editor's note: On Mondays, Kristen Swensson of Cheap, Healthy, Good swings by these parts to share healthy and delicious recipes with us. Take it away, Kristen!
[Photograph: Kristen Swensson]
Before actually participating in one, I thought potlucks were kind of old-fashioned. I always pictured 1960s-era Knights of Columbus halls, packed with Jell-O molds, limp crudite, and men in ornamental antler hats. Needless to say, was I off base.
To put it bluntly, potlucks are the best. They're a no-pressure, inexpensive way to hang out with loved ones, especially when folks start havin' babies. And of course, you get to stuff your face.
Every few weeks, I get together with a bunch of friends for a potluck. Saturday's dinner yielded Spicy Brisket, Potato Leek Focaccia, Bacon-topped Macaroni and Cheese, and the tastiest vegan cupcakes you've ever had, all homemade. My own contribution was this Greek Orzo Salad. It wasn't meant to be a particularly light dish, but after I ran the numbers, it turned out to be much leaner than I thought.
Comprised largely of fresh veggies, briny olives, and feta cheese, the salad feels substantial without being heavy. A subtle lemon dressing keeps everything pleasingly moist (without pooling at the bottom), and imparts a light, refreshing citrus flavor to the whole shebang. Also, artichokes. I loves me some artichokes.
In conclusion, I will be making this again, over and over, probably for additional potlucks. I don't know if you've heard, but they're pretty sweet.
Greek Orzo Salad
- makes about 12 servings of 3/4 cup each =
Adapted from Taste of Home and All Recipes.