Orzo Salad with Fresh Peas, Carrots and Pine Nuts

I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do is hang out in the kitchen all day during the middle of summer.  So lately, I’ve been getting up a little earlier to get some cooking done before the temperatures rise.

This morning I made a killer orzo salad with fresh peas, carrots and pine nuts.  You need to try it because it’s freakin’ awesome.  I’ve already had three cereal bowls full of the stuff.  If I keep it up, there won’t be any left for dinner.

You snooze you lose Handsome Husband!  Ha Ha Ha!

Ingredients

1 pound orzo pasta, cooked and cooled
2 cups frozen English peas {ordinary peas will do, I suppose}
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup white cheddar cheese, cubed {you can use orange if you want}
1 large carrot, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, miced
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a large bowl combine the cooled orzo pasta, frozen peas, and cheddar cheese, set aside. Heat up a stir fry pan and with 2 tablespoons of olive oil saute the carrots and onions until caramelized. Toss in pine nuts and garlic and saute for 1 minute longer.  Cool.  Add pine nut mixture to the pasta and toss with remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  Add salt and pepper.  Chill salad for 2 hours before serving.

If you are in the market for 20 pounds of orzo pasta, it’s your lucky day!  Amazon currently has it on sale for $22.44 shipped when you use the subscribe and save option at check out.  Saweeet!

*Amazon prices can change at anytime.  Price was accurate at time of post.

So how are YOU beating the heat this summer?  

Are you eating cold cereal for dinner or turning on the oven like a crazy person?