An Even Easier Pasta Salad

Yeah, you're in the right place.

It's a recipe.

I've been making this for years and I made this particular batch in February and then I made it again for a potluck two weeks ago and thought Huh. I should share that.

My mom used to make a version of this salad but I like Panera's Greek dressing, so I use it instead of making my own. I think my mom used a bottled dressing also, but I can't remember the name of it, but I remember that it was easily found at Wal-Mart.

Easy Greek Pasta Salad

1 box orzo pasta, cooked and cooled

1 cucumber, diced 

2 cups grape tomatoes, halved

1- 6 oz. container of crumbled feta

1 red pepper, diced

1/2 cup sliced black olives (1 small can, drained)

Mix everything together and toss with 1/2 to 3/4 a bottle of the dressing. Keep in the refrigerator for at least a few hours (overnight works well) before serving and then add another 1/2 cup of dressing immediately before serving. 

This makes a LOT, so if it's not a very large gathering, I usually halve the recipe to serve 6-8. 

Stuff and Things 7/17

This week is both dragging and speeding by.  Something has come up everyday and my plans of making it into my classroom to start setting up have gotten derailed.  I have unloaded ALL THE STUFF there though because I couldn't look at it in my basement anymore.  

I was able to renew my Alaska driver's license through the mail.  I'm amazed at that.  Same picture, new license.  See you by 2020, Alaska.  You can only renew once through the mail.

Hello,  2010 Kristin.

We are remaining Alaska residents.  Scott's end game is to get some land there.  It wouldn't be a permanent home (because Kristin) but it would be his vacation spot.  I suppose I could make it work once a year or so.

I've been going to yoga or Pilates at least once a week.  I've been trying to make it to kettle bell too.  I'm only getting to the gym maybe twice a week because sometimes things interfere with class times, but I'm so much happier than I was last year when I was forcing myself to go everyday.

Denny with his girlfriend, Justine.  

My brother Denny graduated from the state police academy last week.  My parents should be very proud.  All 3 of us are now successful, employed, functioning members of society!  (I'm not even being sarcastic here.  3 out of 3 is a miracle in this day and age, right?)

I made Greek Pasta Salad a few weeks ago for dinner at the neighbor's house.  I was going to do a whole post on it but then every blogger I know started sharing it.  Repeat content is not popular, I know.  At least I have a pretty picture.  And I maintain that my mom made it first (back in 2003).

Orzo, feta, tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, red onion (if you're so inclined).  I did make my own dressing though.  I used Ina Garten's recipe (she's such a snob…a grown-up version of Blair Waldorf).

I bought $2 red wine vinegar from Wal-Mart and I know that's not what Ina is talking about here.  

Everyday I try to take the dogs around the property.  It's lots of sand, brush, and jack rabbits.  

Of course, I took that picture last week.  This week it has not stopped raining for more than a few hours at a time.  The amount of mud puddles I'm forced to drive through each day is insane.

Yesterday, I caught a mouse.  I had an inkling that there was one hanging out in the basement so I set a couple of those traps that contain them so you see that there is a mouse in it (as indicated by the super helpful gauge on the side) but it's opaque so you never actually see a mouse.  Well, the gauge said "MOUSE CAUGHT!", but it didn't seem like there was a mouse in it so I flipped it to "Set trap" and then out popped a dead mouse.  I almost threw up.  And I screamed a little bit too.

Go-to Vegetarian Dinner

I don't eat meat everyday.  I rarely crave it and don't miss it when I go a day or so without it. My favorite non-meat meal is a veggie quesadilla.  However, sometimes I get it into my head that I just want or need a really big salad for dinner.  I love this version of a salad because the mashed up avocado acts as a very creamy (and healthy) dressing.  We were eating a lot of this salad over the last couple of months in Missouri because it's easy and uses up a ton of fresh ingredients all at once.  (Anyone else guilty of buying produce and letting it rot away in the crisper?)

I don't even have a name for this salad, but maybe you've made something like it before.

Black beans, lettuce, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, a squirt of lime, and a sprinkle of sea salt.  Red onion would be great too, mixed in with the avocado.  

I mentioned that when we're in the process of moving into or out of a new house, I generally lose my appetite.  This time, since the process is definitely being prolonged with the remodeling, there is nothing I feel like cooking for dinner.  Like, nothing.  

What are your easy, go-to summer meals?  

Stuff and things. 5/15

+I always tell myself it's time to start going to bed earlier.  The routine looks like this: shower, Pilates, read, sleep.  Usually, I get distracted though.  Whether it's with cleaning up things, Pinterest, or puppies, my focus often shifts.  Last night, we stayed up until midnight watching Prisoners.  Have you seen it?  So good.  However, to someone who could've spent those 2 hours and 35 minutes grading papers, it was quite an impractical use of time.

+It's time to get serious about vegetables again.  I had this salad for dinner, with a green smoothie, on Tuesday.  I think it's safe to say that I will only be making salad dressing with avocado from here on out.  Have you tried it yet?

+It's also time to get serious about working out again.  Of course, I can't with school.  I just can't.  But I can change into gym shorts as soon as I get home and eventually get around to it.

+Speaking of a very spoiled dog, Scout has been sick on and off a lot lately.  We've been feeding him chicken, rice, and sweet potatoes.  He runs this place.  Don't feel too bad for him.  He kind of lives like a sultan with all his pillows.

+We've been really into documentaries lately.  These 8 episodes on Netflix held our attention all of Friday night.  Maybe that's why Scout falls asleep so much…

+And speaking of working out, I am into this challenge.  I'm also pinning some new workouts I can do on my own; mostly resistance and body weight.   

+Also, in case anyone I'm related to is reading this, your Mother's Day gifts will be mailed by Saturday.  I swear.  

Grilled Steak Salad

So there's a mountain in Palmer, Alaska called Lazy Mountain.

This is not a mountain for the lazy.  I'm pretty sure the lazy would die, actually.  The out-of-shape would flounder.  And then probably die too.  Because I'm pretty sure my feet almost died.  And my ankles.  And my calves.  It was not a pleasant experience and I can guarantee you all that I will not be climbing the vertical-stretch-of-muddy-torture-that-is-Lazy-Mountain again any time soon, if ever again at all.

I do not recommend it.  Scott actually took a lot of pictures of me towards the top of the mountain, but this is one of the only ones where I don't look thoroughly annoyed (i.e.  peeved) because I just wanted to go home.  I was tired and sore....and hungry.  I believe some "But I'm hungry" whimpering escaped my mouth several a few times.

Also, "I hate you" may have escaped Scott's mouth and been directed at me because I'm the one who suggested the hike.  It was said in love, of course.  

After we came back from what we thought would be a leisurely hike, I made steak salads.  Steak salads are amazing.  They don't make/sell/serve steak salads in Alaska.

Oh, but they serve them in Pennsylvania.  Everywhere.  With french fries and melted cheese and dressing on the side.  Oh my gosh, are they delicious. 

I saw a steak salad on a menu once here.  It was called a "Pittsburgh Salad".

I didn't add french fries and cheese to this salad simply because we didn't have any.  However, I highly highly recommend using both.  With ranch dressing or honey mustard on the side.

Grilled Steak Salads
serves 4

-1 lb. flank steak, marinated
marinade I used:
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 T. grated ginger
2 cloves grated garlic

Let sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before grilling.  After grilling to your preferences, let it sit for about 5 minutes before slicing at an angle. 

-Caramelized onions...do not skip this.  It's too delicious to skip.
Thinly slice an onion and put in a frying pan on LOW heat with a tablespoon or two of butter.  Stir often, but let it cook for about 20 minutes.  You'll end up with sweet, crispy deliciousness. 

-Lettuce or spinach
-Tomatoes
-Carrots
-Cucumbers
-Peppers
-Whatever salad fixins' you prefer

-Dressing of your choice

-Highly recommended:
French Fries (baked or fried)
Shredded cheddar

Assemble and devour!

Shared at:
Fresh Food Friday
I Heart Naptime 
Melt in Your Mouth Monday
More the Merrier Monday 
Cast Party Wednesday