Cook Books In December

As many of you know I have made my New Years resolution to make as many new dinners every month as I can...

So far so good. We have tried about 40 new dinners :) Some good, some bad, some really good, and some really bad. My goal is to at the end of the year take all the ones we rate a 3-5 stars and make a cookbook to give or maybe sell to my friends at cost (depending on how many people want one).

I am getting recipes from friends, family, online, in books, and some that are my own to give it a good variety. I plan on making changes to the recipes as I go to make them my own if I think they need more of something or less of something and so on.

This recipe is by Wendy Weisenburger.

2 quarts water
2 Tablespoons salt
1 1/2 cups Orzo
5 Tablespoons EVOO
1 Teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
1 (5oz) package on long grain wild rice
1 (3oz) package slivered almonds
1/2 large red bell pepper, diced fine (I used a full one)
1/2 large yellow bell pepper, diced fine ( I used a full one)
1/2 Purple onion, diced fine(I used a yellow one)
1/2 cup Craisins
1/4 cup capers
1/4 cup finely chopped basil
2 Tablespoons finely chopped parsley.

1. In a large pot over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the 2 tablespoons salt and the Orzo and cook until tender, 5-8min. Drain the orzo and toss with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil (EVOO). Cover and cool compleatly in the fridge.
2. Prepare the long grain rice according to the package. Let cool. (I spread mine out on a plate and put in the fridge to cool quick). 
3. Combine in a large bowl the remaining 4 tablespoons of EVOO, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Add the almonds, peppers, onion, craisins, capers, basil, parsley, rice, and orzo. 
4. Toss to mix well and serve. Garnish with lemon if desired :)


Zach and I gave this recipie as a dinner a 2. Not because it wasn't good but because we would have like a nice peice of fish on top or a grilled chicken breast. We just thought it seamed more liek a side dish. But, that's just us. I ate leftovers for lunch the next two days adn it tasted just fine for a quick easy lunch all by its self.

++ As a side dish or with a added meat on top we would have rated it a 4!!! So it is really yummy. Let me know what you think after you try it out :)