Friday, July 8, 2011

Orzo Salad

My first experience at a farmer's market I can attest that I was overwhelmed at the variety of foods available.  Living in two extremes of country life and suburban life, Madison is somewhere in between.  This wonderful place has a little bit of both the downtown and the scenic countryside which lends a great balance to those individuals who crave change from time to time.

Molly Watson from About.Com, writes a great tip guide on shopping the local farmer's market.  Had I read this article I think I would have been a little more seasoned with how things operate at this type of event.  She points out helpful suggestions such as keeping small bills and change and bringing your own bags or grocery cart to make this type of shopping more enjoyable.  Below are the links to Molly's tips and more information about the seasonal vegtables available at the Dane County Farmer's Market.

My favorite find from the markets is fresh dill.  This dish is a great summer recipe that uses fresh dill and tomatoes from the market or grocery store, and it involves no use of the oven which is a life saver in the hot months of July!

http://localfoods.about.com/od/farmersmarkets/tp/Farmers--Market-Tips.htm

http://www.dcfm.org/

Photo by Romulo Yanes

Orzo Dill Salad

1 C of orzo pasta
2 C of cherry tomatoes or  (1 pint packaged), halved
1 package of feta cheese (4oz- 1/2 C)
1/4 C extra virgin olive oil
 red pepper flakes, to taste

To Prepare:

Prepare water to boil orzo by package directions.  While waiting on the water to boil, slice the tomatoes and mix with the dill and feta cheese and set aside.

When orzo is ready, drain pasta.   Mix the orzo with the olive oil to prevent sticking and mix in the tomatoes and dill.  Sprinkle a few red pepper flakes to your liking to add a little spice to the dish.  Serve Warm.

This dish is great on its own for something quick and easy for the week or goes great with a white flaky fish like cod which can also be found locally around here.  Enjoy an easy to drink soft red wine such as Beaujolais which can be chilled or served at room temperature, making it one of the best picnic or summer wines.  In this case, room temperature will blend well with the tastes and textures of the dish. 

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