It’s that time again; time to share some love with my fellow blogger friends! I’ve recently received six different awards honoring my blog. Six, people!! That’s a whole lotta love! What an amazing feeling to know that people are appreciating and enjoying what I’m sharing with them all. Blogging has been such an amazing journey for me. I had no idea I’d enjoy it as much as I have and best of all, I had no idea that I’d meet such wonderful people along the way. I have a bunch of blogs I want to shout out at today, so let’s get started!
First up, I want to recognize Betty over at Betty Crapper. Betty honored me with not one, but two amazing awards.
Betty’s site is filled with wit, energy, and of course, great recipes! I love my visits to her blog and I know you will too. Check her out and tell her I said hi when you drop by!
Next up, one of my new favorites, Blue Cotton Memory. Her blog had me from the minute I stepped in the front door. Her writing is captivating, I love her style, and best of all, she’s a mom to a clan of boys just like me! Thank you for thinking of me, your blog rocks!
Moving on to my good friend Alex over at Ma What’s for Dinner. Everyone knows how much I love this chica and her blog. She’s one of the best there is; my blogging experience wouldn’t be what it is today if I hadn’t stumbled upon her site. Thanks so much for everything Alex! You know I love ya!
Next up, a new blog that I recently discovered and instantly fell in love with; The Better Housewife. Her witty, well written posts drew me in from the moment I stumbled on her blog. I feel honored that she has chosen little ol’ me to be the recipient of her award. Thank you so much!
And last but definitely not least, Sarah over at Mum in Bloom. This is another one of those bloggers that I just can’t say enough about. I love both Sarah and her blog. Her recipes are delicious and her book snippets are delightful, but it’s her warm and caring personality that keeps me coming back day in and day out. I consider Sarah a close bloggy friend and I’m so happy that I’ve found her site and gotten to know her over the past months. Thank you Sarah!
Now I know that each of these awards has their own list of rules, but we’d be here all morning if I followed them all and I KNOW you are anxiously awaiting the next recipe…. errr, at least I think that’s why you’re here. So I’ll pass them on to a few of my favorites and we’ll forage ahead.
First up, to a few of my favorites that always add a little sunshine to my life, I bestow The Sunshine Award:
Monet at Anecdotes and Apple Cores
Maranda at Jolts and Jollies
Holly at 504 Main
Next up, the Blog with Substance Award. Love you guys!
Dennis at More Than A Mount Full
Morello Cherry at Frosted Rosepetals
Sommer at A Spicy Perspective
Followed closely by The Beautiful Blogger Award. Enjoy and thank you!
Eloise at A Weasel’s Journey
Anne at Annie Bakes
Sarah at Mum in Bloom
With the Versatile Blogger Award sticking close behind.
Biren at Roti n’ Rice
Drama Mama at Scoop on Poop
My favorite Gringa over at Gringation Cancun
And saving the best for last, The Hard Working Mommy Award.
Alex at Ma What’s for Dinner
Tanatha at I Just Love My Apron
Mary at One Perfect Bite
Thank you so much to those that thought of me when you handed out awards. One of the best parts of blogging is being recognized for efforts. Isn’t blogging great?!
————-
Ok, moving on to today’s recipe. I’m pulling one from my more recent cooking endeavors and sharing a yummy summer salad with you. This salad is light and tasty. It compliments any meal perfectly and yet it’s still filling enough to be a main dish should you want something a bit lighter for your evening meal. It’s my version of a Zucchini and Orzo salad. Are you ready for this? Here’s what you’ll need whip a batch up:
Ingredients Needed:
2 Zucchinis, Sliced and Quartered
1 Tbsp of Olive Oil
1 Cup of Orzo
1 Cup of Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
2 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
1 Small Bunch of Basil, Sliced up (about 1/4 Cup)
1 Tbsp of White Wine
1/2 Lemon Squeezed (about 1 Tbsp)
3 Oz. of Crumbled Mediterranean Feta
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to Taste
First up, cook your Orzo according to package directions. When it’s al dente, drain it of the water and transfer it to a bowl. let it sit and start to cool down to room temperature. While your orzo is boiling, grab a large frying pan, swirl your olive oil around it a couple times and turn the burner on medium high heat. When the oil is heated up, throw in your garlic, zucchini, and a few shots of salt and pepper. Cook it up for about 4 minutes or until the zucchini is cooked but still crisp.
Once your zucchini is cooked up, add it in with your cooked pasta in addition to the basil, white wine, and lemon juice.
Combine your ingredients and allow the salad to cool to room temperature (it’s best that way, trust me on this one). When it’s sufficiently cooled, add in your feta and tomatoes. Salt and pepper to taste and just like that you’re done!
Zucchini and Orzo Salad
Ingredients:
2 Zucchinis, Sliced and Quartered
1 Tbsp of Olive Oil
1 Cup of Orzo
1 Cup of Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
2 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
1 Small Bunch of Basil, Sliced up (about 1/4 Cup)
1 Tbsp of White Wine
1/2 Lemon Squeezed (about 1 Tbsp)
3 Oz. of Crumbled Mediterranean Feta
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Directions:
Cook your Orzo according to package directions. When it's al dente, drain off the water and transfer it to a bowl. let it sit and start to cool down to room temperature.
While your orzo is boiling, grab a large frying pan, swirl your olive oil around it a couple times and turn the burner on medium high heat.
When the oil is heated up, throw in your garlic, zucchini, and a few shots of salt and pepper.
Cook it up for about 4 minutes or until the zucchini is cooked but still crisp.
Once your zucchini is cooked up, add it in with your cooked pasta in addition to the basil, white wine, and lemon juice.
Combine your ingredients and allow the salad to cool to room temperature.
When it's sufficiently cooled, add in your feta and tomatoes. Salt and pepper to taste.
Comments
Trackbacks
-
[…] Blue Cheese Dressing Black Bean Corn Salsa Zucchini and Orzo Pasta […]
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
OHHHH!!!! Thank you!!!! I feel so special. 🙂 You know how much I love you girl!
And that is totally one of my favorite summer time salads ever!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
Hi Julie
congrats on all those awards!! they are certainly well deserved! And thank you so much for thinking of me! The sunshine award is such a great award to get! I am honored!
Now your salad looks positively delicious!! I don't use orzo enough, at home or at school….I have to remedy that!
thanks so much for the inspiration and your lovely award!
Dennis
AWWWW, THANKS FOR THE BLOGGY LOVE MY FRIEND-RIGHT BACK ATCHA!! AND THAT SALAD LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING I SHOULD BE MAKING ABOUT NOW!!
anne
http://www.anniebakes.net
Julie, congratulations on your well-deserved awards. Thank you for passing one on to me. It is appreciated. The pasta looks fantastic and is a wonderful way to use the squash that is starting to accumulate. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Thanks for the kind words. You so deserve those awards. That salad looks so bright and colorful. mmm
HI, thank you so much for thinking to give me a shout out-makes me feel very special! 🙂 I always enjoy reading your posts and recipes and the salad looks scrummy…and i never say scrummy, so thats just how good it looks! lol 😛
again thank you, and congratulations on your awards too. 🙂
Congrats on all your awards – and thanks for the sweet words!
You dish looks delicious!
Looks delicious! Congrats on all of your awards!
That's what I passed up for lunch? I must have been crazy!
Congrats on the awards Julie!! and thank you so much for passing on to me and thinking of me. I'm honor to accept it even though I don't have kids (smile)
Congratualtions Julie! So many awards for a mommy who deserves so much more 🙂 I'm so glad to "meet" you too.. as a matter-of-fact, we look so much alike that it's scarey ;op Serioulsy, when I saw your profile pic I almost fell outta my chair because you look so much like me… tee, hee!
That salad looks fresh and fab! We love all the ingredients in it so it would be a big hit at our house…yes, my kids love vegetables.
Thank you so much for the wonderful award!! I love it!
I must make this soon! I've never had orzo but with the fresh basil, lemon juice, and feta it can't be wrong! It sounds light and delicious. I'm finding so many amazing recipes from you to try.
Also, I am so intrigued by the "backdrop" of your pictures that I'm dying to know what your kitchen looks like! LOL! I love the look of the "rock" type tile and the granite counter tops. Wow…
Congratulations on all your awards Julie! You so deserve the awards. Thank you so much for sharing the love with me 🙂 🙂 🙂
The salad looks wonderful and it's making me hungry.
Congratulations on all the awards! Your blog is very deserving of them! I love all the flavors you have put into this salad. I can't wait to make it and enjoy it for myself!
This is a fun blog! I like that you feature people who have tried your recipes. And your kids are adorable. Not to mention this orzo salad looks amazing. I'll definitely be checking back. 🙂
Congrats to you, Julie! Someone should give you a cooking award, too. That salad is to die for…
Thank you Julie! You bring such joy into my day! I love the vibrancy of your summer salad. Seasonal eating is so so good!
You are a busy lady over here! Look at all of those awards! Congrats! Thank you for the Sunshine award!
I have a recipe for a similar salad…no zucchini…I like the addition of the zucchini…one of my faves!
Hi Julie,
First of all, thank you very much for your lovely visit and words!
I loved your recipes and I'm picking your link so I can be back.
Cheers,
Lia.
Thank you for the award!! I am behind in accepting and passing on my awards, but I will catch up! Thank you!
Holy lots of awards Julie! Congratulations!
You should know that I've been bookmarking recipes from your blog and this one is a must-try as soon as I can get myself some Orzo!