New Greek Delights

I was experimenting this summer with some delicious new Greek Delights. I thought I would share with you my 2 new favourites- Greek Spinack Orzo Pasta and  Grilled Lemon Garlic Pepper Chicken. Both really fresh and delicious and real good for you too!

Greek Spinach Orzo Salad

(adapted from http://www.tammysrecipes.com/greek_spinach_orzo_salad)

8 servings or 12 side servings

Ingredients:

Salad Ingredients:

8 ounces dry orzo pasta

8 or 9 ounces fresh baby spinach

1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced (or half a large one)

1 1/2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes

1 cup (or a 6-oz. jar) pitted Kalamata olives, quartered or halved

1 1/2 cups feta cheese, crumbled

1 cup of your favorite vinaigrette dressing OR use the recipe below

Vinaigrette Ingredients:

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon oregano

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional but tasty)

1/3 cup olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the orzo according to package instructions for al dente. Drain and rinse pasta under cold water to cool. Set aside.

2. Make vinaigrette by combining all vinaigrette ingredients in a blender or jar with tight-sealing lid and blend or shake until dressing is mixed well.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained/cooled orzo, spinach, onion, tomatoes, olives, and feta. Stir dressing into salad to coat well. Stir more than you think you need to...it will help "wilt" the spinach a bit.

Grilled Lemon Garlic Pepper Chicken

(adapted from http://www.tammysrecipes.com/grilled_lemon_garlic_pepper_chicken)

Ingredients:

3 large chicken breasts, cut into thirds

4 cloves of garlic

Juice of 1 lemon

1/3 c oil

Coarse-ground black pepper, to taste

1/2 T salt

Crushed red pepper (a light sprinkling, unless you want a hotter flavor)

Instructions:

1. In bowl, combine ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

2. Grill chicken pieces until cooked through.

Here you have it... the 2 together on a plate like BFF`s for grilling season!

Greek Night... light

This is a real quick and simple dinner. Souvlakis on the BBQ, Greek Salad and this new PC Blue Menu Tzaziki.  I love the Blue Menu products, they are healthier alternatives to the higher calorie, fat, salt packaged items. So if you need to get packaged item, I like to fall back on items that I know are a little better for me and my family.

We made some basmati rice, grilled those MarcAngelo already skewered Pork Souvlakis (130 calories per skewer) and I made a greek salad.  I used romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatos, green peppers, sliced kalamata olives and light feta cheese. I made an olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette with some salt, pepper and garlic. It was delicious, healthy and fresh.

But Brent's favourite is this.... TZATZIKI, he would eat this whole container!!!! He found this Blue Menu product, which I love! And it's delicious- I have just a little bit because it's too 'garlicky' for me.  For 2 tablespoons, it's 30 calories and 2g of fat. Not bad at all!