Got cherry tomatoes? This Orzo with Feta, Tomatoes and Dill is greater than the sum of its parts.

[pat-nocal]

I used a medley of cherry tomatoes from the garden -- some sungold tomatoes, yellow cherry and teardrop red cherry tomatoes. So summery and quick to put together. Was a lovely side dish to grilled salmon kebabs. I can see adding chopped cucumber and kalamata olives some time, as some reviewers suggested but loved the recipe as written -- so simple and good.

Orzo with Feta, Tomatoes and Dill

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup chopped dill

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 cup orzo

1 1/2 cups crumbled feta (6 ounces)

Toss together oil, tomatoes, dill, zest, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a large serving bowl. Let stand at least ten minutes.

Meanwhile, cook orzo in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (1-1/2 tablespoons salt for 4 quarts water) until al dente.

Drain orzo and toss with tomato mixture. Add feta and toss again.

Serves 4 to 6 as a side dish

Source: July 2008 Gourmet https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/242827

Pat’s note: Really good side dish to Spiced Salmon Kebabs, and quick to make. Spiced Salmon Kebabs are here: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/51169490

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/242827

 

[pat-nocal]

Served the orzo with Spiced Salmon Kebabs...another dish I'll be making often

Skewering the kebabs made for quick cooking and a lovely presentation but I could also see applying the rub to single serving salmon filet pieces and grilling that way. Didn't have white sesame seeds on hand so I used black sesame seeds -- didn't seem to matter and I'd use the black ones again in a pinch.

Spiced Salmon Kebabs

2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 pounds skinless salmon fillet (preferably wild), cut into 1" pieces
2 lemons, very thinly sliced into rounds
2 tablespoons olive oil
Special Equipment
16 bamboo skewers soaked in water 1 hour

Prepare grill for medium heat. Mix oregano, sesame seeds, cumin, salt, and red pepper flakes in a
small bowl to combine; set spice mixture aside.
Beginning and ending with salmon, thread salmon and folded lemon slices onto 8 pairs of parallel
skewers to make 8 kebabs total. Brush with oil and season with reserved spice mixture.
Grill, turning occasionally, until fish is opaque throughout, 5-8 minutes. Yield: 4 servings

Source: Bon Appetit JUNE 2013 http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/51169490

Recipe note: Threading lemon slices in-between the salmon brightens the kebabs (and makes it look really fancy).
Here's a little trick: Thread salmon pieces onto two skewers so they don't flip and spin every time you turn them on the grill.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/51169490

 

[Guest]

Both of these sound great Pat. I'll be trying them. Thanks for posting