Posts Tagged ‘bbq’
orzo salad with feta + balsamic bbq chicken
Long time, no post! Sorry bout that, folks – took some time to get my new life organized but hey! Lease is signed, moving truck is packed, and I’m almost ready to go. One last dinner at home first, though.
I’ve never been a huge fan of spring. It’s my least favorite season, mostly due to the rain, mud, flip-flopping weather, and return of allergy season. The one saving grace is that the best produce of the season is finally en route, gardens everywhere finally start blooming, and better yet, summer is almost here!
This is my favorite summer dinner and I made it a little early to celebrate my new job with my family. The orzo salad is a bit fussy and has lots of side steps (plus it’s best made a day in advance), and the chicken is also best marinated for at least a day, so the whole meal is something you really can’t just throw together, but it’s so worth the wait.
Tangy feta and and sun-dried tomatoes tossed with crunchy arugula and pine nuts (plus orzo), this side dish is so refreshing and summery, plus open to any interpretation or additions, it really is my favorite side dish of the season. And although I am usually a complete Arthur Bryants devotee, making a special BBQ sauce for a special dinner can be fun, and I’ve always loved this tangy and sweet version from Giada deLaurentiis. Reduced balsamic vinegar is one of the best things on the planet, so incorporating it into BBQ sauce… well… it’s just plain awesome.
