Tomato and Herb Orzo Salad

Orzo, the mini pasta, not orso, the big bear! Orzo looks like a grain of barley or rice but is actually pasta, so it has that toothsome bite and pasta taste. Being so small, it tricks people into thinking they're not quite eating pasta, so it's always a great dish for a potluck.

In this version I tossed together what I had in the fridge - sweet grape tomatoes, red onions and mint - added a few dashes of red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper, and presto! A lovely easy summer pasta salad!

Mint was my herb of choice just to change it up a bit from the traditional basil, but if you've got basil on your mind, go for it. Mint is always so crisp, fresh and cooling for my taste, which is why it often finds it's way into my salads along with cilantro before basil does. To each their own!

I'll be sending this over to Riddhima of Culinary Vibes for Presto Pasta Night. Check back on Friday to see all of the great pasta dishes!

Tomato and Herb Orzo Salad 
(serves 2-3)

1/2 cup orzo
4 oz grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons red onion, minced
1/2 cup fresh mint, loosely backed, chopped
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt
pepper

Cook orzo as directed in salted water. Drain and pour into a mixing bowl. Add tomatoes, onion, mint and toss well. Pour red wine vinegar and olive oil over all and toss to combined. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately or chill.

Hugs!

Recipes currently inspiring me:

Spring Pea Hummus at Simply Recipes
Old-Style Pickled Carrots without Vinegar at Hunter, Angler, Gardener, Cook
Chilled Roasted Yellow Pepper Mango Soup at Flavors of the Sun