Pesto Orzo with Roasted Vegetables, Feta Cheese and Toasted Pine Nuts

Pesto Orzo with Roasted Vegetables, Feta Cheese and Toasted Pine Nuts

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Pesto Orzo with roasted vegetables, feta cheese and pine nuts

Updated Post with new video!

I hope this finds you well!

This is one of my original posts, a perfect dish to have in the fridge for the never ending snacks and meals required when everyone is staying at home.

I have just added a video, my third. Apart from only filming half of my head I seem to be getting the hang of it!

As we are just getting to know each other, I want to share all my absolutely favorite, foolproof, you will love me and be so impressed, recipes with you. I also have, however, to warn you about my tendency to vagueness.  This pasta dish is a perfect example. 

My dear friend Ann Gill first made me this for lunch when we were neighbors in London. Many, many years ago. I have been making it on a regular basis ever since. 
 
This works as a meal in its own right. With the mix of pasta, protein and vegetables, it is perfect for vegetarians.  However, the real beauty of this dish is that it seems to go well with almost anything. I usually pair it with

Herb Roasted Salmon,

and

Orange and Beet Salad

but it works with beef, pork or chicken. The individual parts can also be made ahead, and transported in Ziplock bags if you are bringing the dish to a potluck ( and hopefully those days will be back soon).  When you are ready to assemble the pasta, you can you can do so in a matter of minutes. Afterwards, any leftover pasta keeps really well and makes a great grab and go lunch. What more can you ask of a recipe?

 
 

 I also like to serve the pasta on a large platter, rather than a bowl, the colors of the green pasta, roasted vegetables and creamy white feta make it really attractive. 

 
 

And the thorny question of quantities? I am going to try to give some guidance, since we are just getting acquainted. If I am serving more than one side dish, I use a small bag of Trader Joes orzo pasta for twenty people. On its own, that bag would easily feed ten. So, if you want enough for five to six people, half a small bag of pasta would be perfect.

Add enough pesto to cover the pasta completely. For a whole bag of pasta, a small container of fresh pesto is usually enough. I love the large jar from Costco. Less stressful. However, If you want a treat and to support local business, pick up a tub from my favorite Cheese Shop in Goodwives (and maybe their feta too), when you are collecting your Easter Cheese!

www.dariencheese.com

Thank you ANN!

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