I L.O.V.E. the flavor combination of tomato, basil, and mozzarella.  It tastes so light and fresh, but is always packed with flavor!  Now that I have fresh basil and tomatoes from the garden, this is EVEN better!  One night I was trying to come up with a side dish that we don’t have all of the time.  I just wanted something different so I searched through the pantry and spotted my orzo pasta.  Orzo pasta is a small pasta shape that looks a lot like rice.  (I haven’t found this shape in wheat pasta yet, but when I do . . . I will FOR SURE be buying it.)  That’s how the creation of this pasta salad started.

I added chopped tomatoes, chopped basil, a little mozzarella, and splashed it all with some balsamic vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil.  It was SO yummy!  I suppose it’s technically NOT a caprese salad, but it sure tasted a lot like caprese!  So, that’s what I decided to call this.  If you’re looking for a simple and flavorful side dish.  Give this a whirl.  (I wrote the recipe to serve 2 since that’s the number I usually cook for, but this can VERY easily be doubled or tripled.)

Caprese Orzo Salad
Mimi Original

2 ounces orzo pasta (just shy of 1/3 cup, dry)
1 tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
2 tablespoons shredded part-skim Mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain, rinse with cold water, and transfer to a small bowl.  Add remaining ingredients.  Toss to coat.

Serves 2.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Calories:  157.5 (100 come from the pasta)
Protein:  6.1g
Carbs:  23.9g
Fat:  4.3g (1.2g = Sat.)
Fiber:  1.8g
Sugars:  1g