Chinese pea pods, tomato, onion and Orzo salad - simmered side or main course

My twin grandson went home on vacation. Our grocery bills fired like a rocket, and no matter how long I went to the store, I couldn't save the fridge. I can't think of a delicious lunch. Almost the holidays and the unstable schedule of my grandchildren made my brain even more bleak. One day, I decided to have a sandwich for lunch. Sandwiches are not enough, so I decided to serve a side dish. What will it be?

After rummaging through the fridge, I found an unopened Chinese pea pod, half a box of cherry tomatoes, some tomatoes and basil cheese, and a red onion. Chinese pea pods are expensive and I want to use them when they are still fresh.

Pods, also known as peas, are common peas that are picked before ripening. You can see and feel the little peas inside. Cook's Thesaurus website describes them as common ingredients in edible pods and stir-fries. According to the website, you should only cook for one minute and no longer need it. Pods can also be eaten raw, and the Foodista website offers tips for buying.

First, look for light green or medium green pods. The website explains: "Those who are particularly light or dark in color, or those with yellow, white or gray spots should be avoided." Second, the pods should look strong. If the store sells them at a high price, feel it and see if it is stiff. You can also separate one to see if it will shoot.

Preparing Chinese pea pods is easy. Rinse with cold water, cut off the tip, and pull the rope along the edges. I left the strings on the small pod. All of these ingredients - pea pods, cherry tomatoes, red onions and feta - have become delicious salads. I use cooked orzo [rice pasta] as the basis for salads.

When I tasted the mixture, my eyes widened in surprise, and I said, "Yeah." My granddaughter looked at me in surprise. "Guess it's a good grandma," she commented. When you taste this crunchy salad, I think you will say "hmm".

Ingredients

1 cup cooked orzo

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups of "matchstick" pea pods

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup [or more] broken cheese with tomato and basil

a lemon flavor

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper

Method

Cook orzo according to the package instructions. Rinse the pasta under cold water and transfer to a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pasta to prevent it from sticking together. Rinse the pea pods, cut off the tip, remove the rope, and cut into thin "matchsticks." Add to orzo, and the rest of the ingredients. Gently throw the salad. As a side dish sandwich or add cooked shrimp, cooked squid or tuna as the main dish. Make 6 copies.

Copyright 2011 Harriet Hodgson

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