Description

You'll love how easy and quickly this salad can be prepared. You'll especially love how delicious the pasta salad is with spinach, cranberries, got cheese, and almonds tossed with a sweet, tangy dressing.

Ingredients

• 1/2 T. light olive oil
• 8 oz. orzo pasta
• 4 c. water
• 4 c. fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/2 c. sliced almonds
• 1/2 c. Craisins or dried cranberries
• 2-4 oz. goat cheese or specialty honey goat cheese, crumbled (or feta)
• optional: 2 c. cooked chicken, chopped
• Dressing:
• 1/4 c. olive oil, divided
• 3 T. white balsamic or champagne vinegar
• 1 T. honey
• 1/2 t. kosher salt
• 1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper

Steps

1. Salad:
2. Toast the orzo in the olive oil over medium heat, about 5 minutes, until golden brown. Add the water; bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer; cover for 7-8 minutes. Drain excess liquid; fluff with a fork.
3. Place the spinach in a large bowl; add the cooked orzo, cranberries, and almonds. Add cooked chicken, if desired.