Tag Archives: Salad

Beets with Arugula and Feta Cheese

Soups/ Salads / Stews, Vegetables, , , , ,

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Beets are one of those vegetables people usually forget about because they are not considered “popular” at least not right now. Foods like fashion are featured as the “in” thing at different cycles in time. Remember when it was said that pork was not good for you then a while later it became the “other white meat” and was the popular thing to eat.

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I really do like beets but I also  forget about beets until summer comes and I am in salad mode. I love to have salads with dinner in the summer because there are so many beautiful fresh veggies available. I have thought about growing beets but I have not had the courage to do it yet. I have tried growing cabbage, squash and eggplant without much success so I stick to the veggies I can easily grow. Tomatoes and all kinds of peppers grow in abundance on our porch. I also grow a lot different herbs. Maybe next summer I will plant a few beets and see what happens.

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Anyway, beets have their own unique flavor and sweetness. Depending on what we are having for dinner I will pair the beets with some other veggie or lightly season the beets and eat them all by themselves. I have two favorite beet recipes. My old trusty beet salad which is similar to a basic potato salad recipe but substitutes beets for potatoes. Then there is my more recent recipe of Beets with Arugula and Feta Cheese. I have been working on more salad recipes to help shake off the winter blues and get ready for summer. In the winter I focus on hearty meals and soup but spring and summer call for lighter meals with lots of fresh veggies.

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Arugula is one of my favorite dark salad greens so I often combine it with several other ingredients to create unique dishes like my Chicken and Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce. In my Beets with Arugula and Feta Cheese recipe I mix beets, green apples and arugula which all seem to compliment each other. The sweet beets, sour granny smith apples, salty feta cheese and nutty flavored arugula satisfy all of my taste buds.

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I am getting ready for summer. How about you?

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Beets with Arugula and Feta Cheese

Ingredients:
1 bag arugula
2 cups cooked beets cut into wedges
½ cup thinly sliced green apples
½ cup feta cheese
½ cup mandarin oranges (optional)
¼ cup pecan or walnuts
¼ cup vinaigrette

Vinaigrette:
½ cup olive oil
3 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp minced garlic (optional)
pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

In a medium bowl mix together white wine vinegar, seasonings Dijon mustard and garlic. Slowly whisk in olive oil.

In a large bowl place arugula, beets, pecans, apples and feta cheese. Drizzle vinaigrette over salad then gently toss to coat with dressing. Taste and add more seasonings or dressing if needed.

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Gemelli Pasta and Tomatoes

Pasta and Grains, Soups/ Salads / Stews, Vegetables, , , ,

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Since my hubby and kids love pasta so much I am always looking for new ways to fix it. I also like to use different types of pasta shells to give the pasta dishes a a new twist. The type of pasta you pick for a dish depends on what you want the pasta to do. If I am making a creamy pasta dish I usually pick pasta that will cuddle the sauce in the nooks and crannies of the pasta like shells or ziti. If I am fixing a dish that is lighter and the sauce just needs to coat the pasta, I will use angel hair, linguine or bow tie pasta.

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Gemelli pasta falls into both categories. Because of its shape gemelli pasta is a nice twist (yes, pun intended) for creamy or oil based sauces. When I first started formulating this recipe in my mind I was not sure what kind of pasta I would use. I did not want to use penne pasta because I have seen so many recipes with penne including my own. I was cruising the pasta aisle when I spotted the gemelli pasta. It had been a long time since I prepared any dish with gemelli so I got excited when the light bulb went off in my head to use gemelli as my pasta.

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I will admit that I cook a lot of dishes with tomatoes. Another thing besides pasta that my family really loves. For me, tomatoes just naturally go with pasta. Tomatoes add a savory sweetness to pasta dishes. Baking or roasting tomatoes really helps to bring out the sweetness which is how I prepared the tomatoes for this recipe.

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In the end, the combination of flavors from the tomatoes, cheese, spinach and gemelli made for a very nice pasta dish. On occasion, to elevate the flavors even more I brown andouille sausage and add it to the recipe to give the dish a kick of spiciness. Yummy!

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Gemelli Pasta and Tomatoes

Ingredients:
2 pints cherry tomatoes sliced in half
1 16 oz box gemelli pasta
1 10 oz bag baby leaf spinach
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp oregano
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp black pepper
4 tbsp olive oil
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
½ cup fontina
½ cup panko bread crumbs
olive oil cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix panko bread crumbs, ½ cup of the grated parmesan cheese, parsley and oregano in a small bowl.

Spray a casserole dish with olive oil cooking spray. Add tomatoes to the casserole dish. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, basil and olive oil. Stir to blend olive oil and seasonings then top with bread crumb mixture. Drizzle a little olive oil over the bread crumb mixture. Bake for 30 – 40 minutes until bread crumbs are browned.

Prepare pasta according to package. Drain (do not rinse) and place in a large bowl. Drizzle pasta with a little olive oil. Add remaining grated parmesan cheese, fontina cheese, spinach and tomato mixture. Gently toss together until well blended.

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Tortellini Salad with Arugula

Pasta and Grains, Soups/ Salads / Stews, , , ,

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Pasta is something my hubby and youngest son could eat every other day. I on the other hand eat pasta less frequently. But, on the occasions that I really have a taste for pasta I prefer to keep it light if possible. The other day I thought about finally writing up the recipe to my delicious pasta salad (according to some friends) but switched gears when I was looking through the frig and saw a beautiful bag of arugula.

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Arugula has a unique nutty taste and I like using it in various salads and in my Chicken and Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce recipe. Since making a light pasta dish was my goal I thought tortellini would be a good choice to go with the arugula. Tortellini is small but can be quite filling. Plus, tortellini is fille with wonderful things like cheese, spinach and sun dried tomatoes. I usually buy mixed tortellini just so I can have an abundance of flavors playing with my taste buds.

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My son is not much of a salad person so I was not sure if he would even try the tortellini salad. I had two things going for me though. One… he loves any kind of pasta and two…. he loved the Chicken and Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce recipe which had arugula in it. True to form, he gave me a thumbs up because of the pasta. Now I know for sure no matter what recipe I make my son will eat it as long as it has pasta. I also know tortellini and arugula make a pretty good salad.

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Tortellini Salad with Arugula

Ingredients:
1 20 oz pkg of mixed tortellini
1 bag arugula
1 small tomato seeded and sliced thin
½ cup Gazebo Room Greek Salad Dressing and Marinade
½ cup feta cheese
½ cup calamata olives
¼ cup shaved parmesan cheese
½ tsp cracked black pepper
salt (optional since olives are salty)

Place arugula in a large bowl. Add olives, feta cheese and tomatoes. Top with shaved parmesan cheese and sprinkle with cracked black pepper.

Prepare tortellini according to package and drain. Add hot tortellini to the bowl then pour salad dressing over pasta. Gently toss pasta and arugula together until well mixed. Enjoy as a warm salad or chilled slightly.

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Carrot Salad

Soups/ Salads / Stews,

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Cool and refreshing is how I would describe carrot salad. It is the kind of side dish that compliments chicken, beef or pork and is good any time of the year.

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I was first introduced to carrot salad at an office party many, many years ago. The ingredients looked pretty simple so I figured it couldn’t taste too bad. I learned early on that not everyone can cook and sometimes pretty dishes are just that – pretty. Pretty does not always equal tasty so I was still hesitant when I put a spoonful of carrot salad on my plate. I was both grateful and pleasantly surprised at how good the carrot salad tasted. From that point on I looked forward to having carrot salad at our office parties.

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I think I make a rather tasty carrot salad and thought it worthy of sharing with the world. Carrots, golden raisins, cranberries, nuts and pineapple. A great combination of flavors and healthy to boot.

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Who wouldn’t love carrot salad?

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Carrot Salad

Ingredients:

1 10oz bag shredded carrots
1 14 oz can crushed pineapple well drained
1 tbsp mayonnaise
3 tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt
½ tbsp sugar
½ tsp seasoned salt
½ cup golden raisins
½ cup cranberries
¼ cup walnuts chopped
¼ cup pecans chopped

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until well blended. Let chill for 30 minutes or overnight before serving. Enjoy!

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Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Prosciutto

Soups/ Salads / Stews, Vegetables, ,

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I was talking to a friend recently about cooking and he asked if I had a side dish recipe for broccoli. I just happen to have a broccoli side dish but it was still in my head and not on paper. I figured now was a good time to try it out on my taste testers then share it with my friend and others on dmariedining.com.

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Broccoli salad is one of my personal favorites and I always looked forward to eating it when a close friend would make it for parties. However, I never took the time to make this wonderful dish because I did not think my family would eat it. I didn’t want to have a boat load of broccoli salad left over for days if I made it and no one else would try it.

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Imagine my surprise when my hubby said he would be willing to taste the salad when he saw me preparing the recipe. My hubby is not a big fan of mayonnaise which is another reason I thought he might not like broccoli salad. Although broccoli is the star of the dish it all comes together with the mayo. Fortunately, the broccoli salad recipe I came up with is not too creamy and is complimented by the mayonnaise.

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I must say I held my breath while my hubby tasted the broccoli salad. Again, I was pleasantly surprised when he said he really liked it. He especially liked the taste of the prosciutto with the broccoli and the slight sweetness of the golden raisins.

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For me, the best thing about broccoli salad is that it is good no matter the season. Winter, spring, summer or fall this is a recipe that works all the time.

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Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Prosciutto

Ingredients:
1 ½ fresh broccoli florets
1 tbsp red onion diced
4 bacon slices
3 oz prosciutto
½ cup golden raisins
½ cup miracle whip
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup Gazebo Room Greek Salad Dressing and Marinade (Italian dressing optional)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp seasoned salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp red pepper flakes
Juice from 1 lemon

Prepare 4 cups of cold water with ice cubes in a large bowl and set aside.

Heat olive oil in a small frying pan. Add prosciutto and lightly fry until crisp. Drain, chop and set aside.

Bacon can be oven fried, crisped in the microwave or fried on the stove. Drain, chop and set aside.

Bring 4 cups of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and cook for 3 minutes. Remove broccoli and immediately place in the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let sit for a couple of minutes then drain. Remove any stray pieces of ice.

In a large bowl add broccoli and pour salad dressing over the broccoli. Add remaining ingredients and mix gently until well blended. Chill for 30 minutes or overnight. Stir salad before serving.

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Spicy Tuna Salad

Appetizers, Seafood/ Fish, Soups/ Salads / Stews,

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Tuna is one of those foods you either love or hate. I actually love tuna but often forget about it when it comes to making a meal. Of course tuna is also one of those foods that requires lots of tender loving care to jazz it up and make it delicious.

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I thought I would jazz up my tuna by making it spicy. A little cayenne for heat and a few sliced almonds helped to give the tuna salad a nice texture and an extra kick of flavor. Sometimes folks like to just have the basics when they fix tuna salad – eggs, mayo, salt and pepper. I like to mix it up with the crunch of celery, the sweetness of relish, the nuttiness of sliced almonds along with the usual eggs, mayo, salt and pepper.

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One of the best things about tuna salad is that it can be turned into a few different recipes. You can eat it as a sandwich, use it to top a nice green salad, put it on crackers, add it to pasta or create an appetizer. No matter how you decide to eat tuna salad think about spicing it up and give your taste buds a reason to tingle.

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Spicy Tuna Salad

Ingredients:
2 small cans of albacore tuna well drained
2 boiled eggs chopped
1 stalk celery diced
1 small can green chiles well drained
2 tbsp roasted red peppers chopped
1 tbsp Italian parsley chopped
1tsp dill
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cilantro
1 tbsp spicy brown mustard
2 tbsp mayonnaise
5 dashes hot sauce
½ toasted sliced almonds
Juice from 1 small lemon

…..
Mix all ingredients In a large bowl. Chill for 30 minutes. Enjoy as a sandwich, on crackers, on a green salad or a tasty appetizer.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Pasta and Grains, Soups/ Salads / Stews, Vegetables, , , ,

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I was watching a cooking show the other day that was dedicated to Mediterranean cooking which my family and I really enjoy. The seasonings used in Mediterranean cooking are a lot different from those used in southern cooking. I always like a challenge whether in cooking or elsewhere so I decided to stretch my imagination and learn how to fix a simple Mediterranean dish. The chef on this particular show made a tabbouleh salad that looked delicious but required a little more work than I like to do.

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Instead of using bulgur wheat as the grain in the salad I decided to add a new twist and use Quinoa. Quinoa has a nutty flavor and takes only a few minutes to prepare. It also helped to add an extra layer of crunch to the salad along with the cucumbers. Texture and taste are two key elements of any dish especially for salads when you are trying to have layers of flavor.

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One of the best ingredients used in Mediterranean cooking is mint. I had not cooked with mint in the past except for making iced tea. The thought of using mint in a salad was a different but welcomed experience. It was amazing how the mint and other seasonings blended so well together and lifted my taste buds to a new level.

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Mediterranean Quinoa salad is a wonderful side dish that goes well with chicken, fish or pork. So the next time you want something healthy, quick and easy to make try this salad to help spice up your meal.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

 Ingredients:

1 cup Quinoa

1 pint cherry tomatoes sliced in half

2 tbsp parsley chopped

2 tbsp mint chopped

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 English cucumber chopped

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp Gazebo Room Greek marinade and salad

½ cup feta cheese

Juice from ½ lemon

Prepare Quinoa according to package instructions. Let cool.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Serve at room temperature.

Endive Stuffed with Shrimp Salad

Appetizers, Seafood/ Fish, Soups/ Salads / Stews, ,

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Have you ever experienced riding along and all of a sudden you get a great idea and have to scramble around for a piece of paper so you can write it down? That is what happened when I thought of making a shrimp salad then stuffing it into endive. Because life is so busy right now I have to write down my ideas or they fly out the window and may or may not come back home.

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My hubby and I were driving back from a basketball tournament and I was trying to create new recipes for dmariedining.com when I started thinking about seafood and a different way to present a nice light seafood salad. I don’t know why the thought of endive popped into my head since I had never worked with it before. I just wanted something that would be easy to make, pleasing to the eye and wonderful to eat.

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The combination of the shrimp salad and endive created a cool refreshing appetizer that makes you want more. The first time my daughter taste tested this for me it left her speechless for a few seconds. When she finally did say something she told me it was a hit!

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For a light crisp appetizer consider making endive stuffed with shrimp salad. This will be a hit at any party and is pretty simple to make. So try this recipe the next time you have a few friends over and you want to show off your new culinary skills.

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Endive Stuffed with Shrimp Salad

Ingredients:

1 lb shrimp

2 boiled eggs chopped

1 stalk celery diced

1 tbsp red onion diced small

1 tbsp parsley chopped

1 tbsp spicy brown mustard

1 tbsp old bay seasoning

1 tsp dill

2 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

pinch sugar

Juice from 1 small lemon

Add salt to 1 quart of water and bring to a boil Add shrimp and cook until shrimp are pink and cooked through. Let cool then peel and dice shrimp. Pour lemon juice and set aside. Combine shrimp with lemon juice and remaining ingredients to a large bowl. Chill for 30 minutes.

Separate endive leaves and stuff with shrimp salad.  Garnish with dill and lemon zest.

Black and White Bean Salad

Soups/ Salads / Stews, Vegetables,

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Beans, beans good for the heart. The more you eat the more ….. you will love how healthy and versatile they are. I have always loved eating beans from when I was a child to adulthood. Unfortunately, when I was growing up the beans I ate were made the true southern way and were not quite as healthy. Delicious?  Yes, but made with fat back, ham hocks or both the beans of yesteryear put more weight on me rather than help take weight off.

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As I got older, I decided to look for new ways to make delicious beans that would be beneficial to my health and would be a great side dish for dinner with my family and friends. During my search I found out that beans have a high nutritional value. Black beans and white beans are packed with fiber, protein and antioxidants which help to make you feel full and energetic at the same time. Plus, beans are easy on your budget.

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Since I am constantly searching for a new twist to old dishes, my black and white bean salad came together on a lazy summer day when I wanted to make something easy and light for dinner. Fresh veggies and herbs are plentiful during the summer especially if you have your own garden. If you are adventurous, you can make your own fresh salsa like I do by using the tomatoes, onions and herbs from your garden. If not, you can always find wonderful fresh salsas at your local grocer. Whether you make your own salsa or buy it from the grocer just make sure the veggies are fresh and the beans are rinsed.

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Not too long ago I put my bean salad to the test by having my son make it for a project in his health class. Each student had to make something healthy and bring it in for the class to taste. T’s original idea was to make guacamole from scratch accompanied with light corn chips. Well, that idea went out the window when he forgot to make the guacamole the night before it was due. Of course it was Mom to the rescue and I told him he could make my bean salad which would only take a few minutes. Needless to say, the salad was a hit, he got an A on the project and his teacher even asked for the recipe. Now, if my teenage son can make a quick black and white bean salad I know you can too.

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The secrets of any good recipe are the quality of the ingredients as well as the time and patience used to prepare it. One of the best ingredients in my black and white bean salad is Gazebo Room Greek Salad Dressing and Marinade. This is a fantastic salad dressing and I use it a lot to add great flavor to various salads. Whatever Greek dressing you decide to use I am sure the bean salad will taste delicious.

Black and White Bean Salad

Ingredients:
1 large can black beans rinsed
1 large can small white cannelloni beans or chick peas rinsed
1 cup fresh salsa (hot, mild or combination)
1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
½ tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
¼ cup diced red onion
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp dried dill
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp Adobo seasoning
½ tbsp salt
½ tbsp pepper
Juice of ½ Lemon
2/3 cup Greek Salad Dressing

Add the beans, fresh salsa, parsley, onion, cilantro, dill, lemon juice and seasonings to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and stir gently until thoroughly blended. Chill for 1 hour. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Optional:
Small Navy Beans.

Orzo and Shrimp Salad

Pasta and Grains, Seafood/ Fish, Soups/ Salads / Stews, ,

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I have to admit something upfront. This recipe is an adaptation of a salad I tasted at my grandson’s birthday brunch. However, I do not feel too guilty because I think most recipes are a take on some other recipe floating around the cooking stratosphere. At some point in time haven’t we all taken a recipe we liked and did something a little different to make it our own? Yes, admit it. You have. Of course, I will give my daughter-in-law credit for giving me the idea for this shrimp pasta dish. Thanks Nat!

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Orzo shrimp salad is one of those pasta dishes that is light but filling so it can be used as a side dish or as a main course. The first time I made this pasta salad we had it as a main course with a nice mixed green salad on the side. The next day we had the leftovers as a side dish with my teriyaki salmon recipe.

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This one will be a crowd pleaser and can be made to accommodate both vegetarians and non-vegetarians at any party. Just leave out the seafood. The salad will still be tasty and will have folks coming back for seconds!

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Orzo and Shrimp Salad

Ingredients:
2 cups orzo pasta
2 lbs raw shrimp peeled and deveined
8 cherry tomatoes cut in half and sliced
½ cup diced tomatoes
2 baby cucumbers peeled cut in half and sliced
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp seasoned salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp fresh chopped flat parsley
1 tsp fresh chopped dill or dried
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
½ cup Gazebo Room Greek Salad Dressing and Marinade
½ cut feta cheese
Juice from 1 lemon

Optional:
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
½ tbsp scallions
½ cup Italian dressing

Prepare orzo according to package. Set aside and let cool. Rinse shrimp and place in a bowl.  Sprinkle with seasoned salt. In a large frying pan melt butter and oil over medium high heat.  Add shrimp to pan and cook until pink. Remove from pan and place in bowl. Pour lemon juice over seafood.

In a large bowl add pasta, seafood with juice, feta cheese, veggies and seasonings. Top with salad dressing and mix until well blended. Serve at room temperature or chilled.