Meatless Monday - Orzo Pasta Salad

This is one of my favorite things to bring to a shower.  It's simple, is easy to present well, and has subtle flavors that are pleasing to most.  There are lots of different options with what you can throw in.  Fresh basil looks prettier in the bowl and rounds out the color scheme a bit.  You could also add diced cucumbers or substitute slivered almonds for the pine nuts.


olive oil
1 box orzo pasta, cooked as directed
2-3 bell peppers, chopped
6oz. crumbled feta
15-20 pitted kalamata olives, cut in half
1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced, or 1 tsp. dried basil
1/2 - 1 tsp. salt
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. pepper

1/3 cup toasted pine nuts

Cook orzo as directed on box.  Rinse in cold water, strain, then dump pasta in large mixing bowl.  Throw on a few splashes of olive oil and stir.  You don't want the pasta to be glumpy or sticky.  Add more oil if necessary.  Throw everything else in the bowl except the pine nuts.  You'll probably need to play around with the amount of salt, pepper, and basil.  Just mix things in until it tastes good to you!  Top with a few shakes of basil, slivers of bell pepper, and the pine nuts.