Remember back when I pledged to buy no more cookbooks? Well, I am proud to say that I have stuck to my pledge. Since I have no new treats to look through, I am starting to spend time perusing old favorites, and those books that I just had to have, but then managed to never cook from. The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America’s Most Imaginative Chefs
Have you seen this book, or looked through it? It’s not a cookbook, it’s really what it says it is, a flavor bible. A place to go to see what goes with what. I’ve been wanting to be a little more creative and loose with my cooking and this book allows you to do that, with a few helpful guidelines. Wanting to make some sort of side dish using cucumbers, I looked them up in the book. One of the pairings suggested was: cucumbers, garlic, mint, oregano, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. Sounded good to me, so I took those ingredients, added some pasta, and had this lovely pasta salad!
Orzo Cucumber Salad with Mint and Oregano
Serves 4
1 cup orzo
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup mint, chopped
1/4 cup oregano, chopped
2 cups diced cucumbers
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Cook orzo pure directions and drain. Mince garlic and add to bowl. Spoon hot orzo over the garlic, to cook the garlic a bit. Let it sit, while you chop the herbs and cucumbers. Add the herbs and cucumbers to the orzo. Pour over the olive oil and vinegar (you can whisk it to an emulsion first if you’d like, I usually don’t bother). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.
This herby pasta salad will be my entry for this week’s Presto Pasta Nights hosted by Rachel at The Crispy Cook.
Lisa says
September 14, 2009 at 5:25 amThis sounds wonderful and your photo is just gorgeous! I will have to try this. It would work perfectly with so many different things.
The Food Hunter says
September 13, 2009 at 10:08 pmGreat combo of flavors. I’ve got to make this one.
claire says
September 13, 2009 at 5:06 amMy husband is a chef and he adores The Flavor Bible (which was the first book giveaway I ever entered and surprisingly won, for him). 😀
Recipe4Living says
September 11, 2009 at 5:05 pmBeautiful orzo pasta salad! We would love to have this recipe on Recipe4Living.com!
girlichef says
September 10, 2009 at 1:24 amThis sounds absolutely delicious…I love the fresh flavors!
Chef Fresco says
September 9, 2009 at 2:54 amI love this combination! Looks so delicious.
My Carolina Kitchen says
September 8, 2009 at 10:47 amLovely salad Pam. I’m starting to use orzo more and more.
I admire your pledge not to buy any new cookbooks. I couldn’t do it, but it is fun to look through old ones you have and discover dishes you never noticed before.
Sam
a good yarn says
September 8, 2009 at 8:30 amI like this combination – zingy and fresh. Definitely worth a try.
Grace says
September 8, 2009 at 9:48 amstay strong, pam!
i have to say, that does sound like a delightful blend of ingredients. good thinking, combining them into a pasta salad.
Brentwood Kitchen Shopper says
September 8, 2009 at 5:29 amLooks great! It’ll be a perfect part of my new diet!
haleysuzanne says
September 8, 2009 at 3:19 amI have made a salad similar to this using rice, but I think orzo would really lend it a beautiful texture. Great idea!
Ruth Daniels says
September 7, 2009 at 10:48 pmIt does sound like a great book if this recipe is an example. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.
Rachel says
September 7, 2009 at 9:40 pmThis sounds really refreshing. Thanks for sending a bowl over to Pasta Presto Nights!
Kim says
September 7, 2009 at 4:07 pmHi Pam! Congrats to you- you won the “pitch your own food network show” contest over on my blog. Please email me at tony.tracy@att.net with your address so I can mail you your goodies. I loved the idea of using an herb and making a three course meal with it. And, I’ve been wanting the flavor bible – looks great!
La Table De Nana says
September 7, 2009 at 2:58 pmFor my part..I find green and white totally appetizing! I don’t have that book..I think it’s fun to get inspired and try and find new in old:) I do!
Marjie says
September 7, 2009 at 5:50 pmIt is lovely! I am convinced that a good deal of how food tastes is how it looks.
Joanne says
September 7, 2009 at 1:05 pmThis is definitely a classic combination of ingredients. The mint and vinegar must do so much to flavor the cucumbers.
I love that you are experimenting more! The flavor bible is definitely a great way to start. I’ve been pining for one of those, but I’ve been trying to restrain as well.
MangoChild says
September 7, 2009 at 12:17 pmThis looks quite tasty, and I bet it would work with a lot of different grains too….
shabby girl says
September 7, 2009 at 3:18 pmOoo, that sounds refreshing. I don’t usually think to use orzo, but we really like it. This looks like a great warm autumn dish!
Tins and Treasures says
September 7, 2009 at 3:04 pmAs always, your food looks delicious. Maybe I’ll try this, as I have a whole basket of cucumbers. Happy Labor Day ~Natalie
Antoinette says
September 7, 2009 at 2:54 pmDelicious…. must try.
noble pig says
September 7, 2009 at 2:04 pmI like the idea of mint and oregano, I don’t think I’ve ever tasted that combo.