Orzo Salad

Recipe: Orzo Salad

My husband and I wanted to make a tabbouleh salad one day, but didn't have any of the necessary ingredients other than tomatoes, cucumber and lemons. After going through the pantry and the fridge, we came up with this.

4oz orzo pasta, cooked according to package directions then cooled

about 20 cherry tomatoes quartered (or equivalent slicer tomatoes, chopped)

about half a cucumber, peeled and chopped

fresh basil leaves, chopped

juice of 1 lemon

1-2 cloves of garlic

salt and pepper to taste

Put all ingredients in a large bowl and mix together. Could it be any easier??

We like to serve it with falafel, tahini sauce (tahini whisked with lemon juice and a little water), and hot sauce. Yum. You can easily stretch this meal for more people by adding hummus, pita bread, stuffed grape leaves, olives...... Now I'm hungry :)

Vegetarian Gravy

I love this recipe. Gravy is great on rice, on potatoes, with biscuits, etc.

Vegetarian Brown Gravy

2 1/2 Tablespoons butter

1/8 cup of flour (I usually use whole wheat flour)

1-1 1/2 cups veggie broth

1-2 tablespoons liquid aminos (could substitute soy sauce)

black pepper to taste

1. Start by melting the butter in a saucepan.

2. Add the flour and whisk. Allow to cook for about 30 seconds.

3. Begin to add the veggie broth. Add a little at a time and whisk, allowing the sauce to thicken to your preference.

4. Add the liquid aminos to your taste. This also adds the brown color.

5. Add pepper to taste.

6. Serve on your favorite meal.

Enjoy!