Remembering Memorial Day-Greek Orzo Salad and a Book Review

Let us take a moment before we begin the busyness of our day to offer silent gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms and benefits we enjoy each day.

photo courtesy of Vecteezy through Google images

I just finished listening to Twice by Mitch Albom.  It is a touching novel about a man named Alfie who has inherited the ability to redo any incidents in his life, giving him a second chance at everything.  There are some caveats... 

• You only get 1 second chance, and the second go-around cannot be changed.
• You cannot get someone to fall in love with you more than once, so if you find that true love of a lifetime, don't mess it up.
• You want, I want, and then God wants...you cannot undo death.  If a person is meant to die, die they will.  You might change the circumstances, but you cannot change the outcome.

This last bullet point seems especially poignant today as we remember all those young lives lost in wars that often seem pointless.  

The novel is narrated by the author, Mitch Albom, who began his successful career as a writer with a column in our local Detroit newspapers dealing with family life/values.  His big career break came in 1997 with Tuesdays with Morrie, which chronicled his friendship with his college professor.  This was followed in 2003 with The Five People You Meet in Heaven.  

I read and enjoyed both of these books. There is a continuing string of titles by this author over the years, but I hadn't read any of his other works until this title was suggested to me on my library app.  I'm so glad that it was.  It is a thought-provoking, heartfelt story whose little lessons will remain with me forever.

This was not a foodies read, but, as in all stories and lives, food does play an important role.  When I made this delicious salad for a casual birthday celebration for my friend, Cathy, whose birthday was on Saturday, I thought it was the kind of comforting food that Alfie would have gotten from his Yaya, who plays such an important role in his life.

I served this colorful, flavorful salad as a side to Grilled Greek Pork Chops, a recipe that I will be sharing with you soon.  It is a scrumptious explosion of flavors... comforting pasta, crisp bell peppers, creamy feta cheese, tangy Kalamata olives, and sweet cherry tomatoes...OH MY YUM!

This salad takes only a short time to prepare and can be refrigerated until you are ready to serve.  It is dressed in a light vinaigrette and is perfect for outdoor gatherings, picnics, and potlucks. 

Salads, Pasta, Side Dishes, Eat a Rainbow, Potlucks, Picnics

Salads

Greek

Yield: 8 servings

Author: Wendy Klik

Greek Orzo Salad

This salad is a scrumptious explosion of flavors... comforting pasta, crisp bell peppers, creamy feta cheese, tangy Kalamata olives, and sweet cherry tomatoes.

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 10 MinTotal time: 25 Min

Ingredients

• 12 oz. orzo, cooked per package directions and rinsed with cold water.
• 1/2 c. olive oil
• juice of half a large lemon (about 3 Tablespoons)
• 1 T. white wine vinegar
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 t. dried oregano
• 1 t. Dijon mustard
• 1/2 t. cumin
• 2 t. capers, drained
• 2 Bell Peppers, stemmed, seeded, and chopped into bite-sized dice (I used an orange and yellow pepper)
• 1/2 c. pitted Kalamata olives, halved
• 12-15 cherry tomatoes, halved

Instructions

1. While orzo is cooking, chop and prepare the peppers, olives, and tomatoes. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, capers, garlic, oregano, mustard, and cumin until emulsified. Set aside.
2. Rinse the orzo in cold water, drain well, and place in a large bowl with the peppers, olives, and tomatoes. Add the dressing and toss to coat.
3. This salad can be served immediately or refrigerated until ready to serve.

Notes

Adapted from a recipe found at Epicurious.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

216

Fat (grams)

15 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

2 g

Carbs (grams)

17 g

Fiber (grams)

2 g

Net carbs

15 g

Sugar (grams)

2 g

Protein (grams)

3 g

Sodium (milligrams)

158 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

0 mg

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