While in London, I ate french fries and gelato every single day. I also indulged in a pint (or two) of craft beer. Every single day. For a month straight. In short, my destructive, unhealthy diet was a sober vegan’s worst goddamn nightmare.
Needless to say, by the time I got home, I was prepping myself for an intense detox consisting of straight juiced kale and other horrible concoctions nutrition bloggers insist are good for the body and the soul.
While I didn’t *exactly* end up subjecting myself to some kind of horrible, liquid diet (I mean, last weekend was my birthday, so of course I was going to eat steak and cake!), I was able to come up with some yummy, clean recipes.
One recipe from the mix is this roasted vegetable orzo salad. It’s light and summery which made me extra excited to eat it for lunch all week.
Although I’m longing for sweater weather season with soup-based dinners and a nice mug of warm tea before bed every night, I’m still trying to push as much summer recipes into my life as I can before it’s too late!
This recipe is especially great served over spinach with a little extra dressing and a grilled chicken breast.
On a side note: My heartburn has gone away since I started incorporating more veggies and less french fries into my life. Weird right?!
Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad:
1 1/2 c. orzo pasta (whole wheat if you can find it)
2 zucchinis, cubed
2 yellow squashes, cubed
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow or orange bell pepper, diced
1 can chick peas, drained
1/2 c. walnuts, toasted
Crumbled feta, for topping (optional)
Dressing:
1/4 c. olive oil
2-3 Tbs. red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. dried parsley
Onion powder, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
Pinch of sugar, agave, or honey
Preheat oven to 350* F. Toss zucchini, yellow squash, and bell peppers in olive oil and a few pinches of salt. Spread onto a greased baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until tender.
Meanwhile, cook orzo according to package directions. Drain and let cool to room temperature.
While pasta is boiling, whisk dressing ingredients together until incorporated.
To make the salad, mix cooled roasted veggies with the orzo, chickpeas, and walnuts. Pour dressing over the top and mix to coat the orzo. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to eat.
Serve with crumbled feta over the top.
Makes 4 entree servings or 8 side servings.
Although I miss the nights of drinking pale ale at the Craft Beer Company in London, eating deep fried foods, and laughing with my friends, I’m also happy to be on a normal eating schedule again!
It’s also nice to not have to take an antacid before bed every single night.
Can’t say I wouldn’t do it all again!
Song of the Day: Smother–Daughter