Inner Desire...Kindness...and Orzo Salad??

Kindness is an inner desire that makes us want to do good things
even if we do not get anything in return.
It is the joy of our life to do them.
When we do good things from this inner desire,
there is kindness in everything we think, say, want and do.
~~Emmanuel Swedenborg

I love to cook delicious, abundant, satisfying food using the simplest of ingredients. Orzo is rice-shaped pasta made from wheat. It is terrific in super easy and no-fuss salad and soup. I made this--one of my favorites--to complement my grilled Teriyaki wild salmon and broccoli salad last night. Be zealous when making this--leftovers are just as yummy!

INGREDIENTS
1 lb Orzo, Cooked (or Pasta of Your Choice)
1 Apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
¼ C Raisins
3 C Halved Grapes
¼ C Chopped Green Onions (Optional)
2 Carrots, grated (Optional)
3 T Pine Nuts
Salt to taste
Chicken Breast, Diced and lightly browned, or Crumpled Tofu (Optional)

DRESSING 1
4 t Curry Powder
4 T Mayonnaise
4 T Lemon Juice

DRESSING 2
1 ½ t Curry
1 T Minced Garlic Clove
¼ t Ginger
¼ t Salt
½ C Chicken Broth
4 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4 T Lime Juice
4 T Rice Vinegar
2 T Honey

DIRECTION
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until it's just tendered. Drain. Drain, rinse, shake, and set aside.

Combine the non-dressing ingredients in a large bowl. Combine dressing ingredients in a container that securely seals and shake to combine. Add to cooked orzo and toss to coat. Then add apple, raisins, grapes, green onion, carrots, and nuts. Mix well, refrigerate, and best serve after chilled.

Hubby was thrilled to take some along another dreadful drive back to the Bay Area, California (yes, again) early this morning. Good thing...he will be back to celebrate the 4th with us, stay for a few days???...then return to the Bay Area for a month or more. Hopefully, he find some reasonably priced apartment in this short trip. Ooooh, how I am not smilin'...stressed being "a full-time, single mom" all alone! I know...many are in the same situation--past and present--nonetheless, it is straining on me and I feel a need to vent my frustration. For me, it helps them dissipate just by getting these feelings out...and escaping to this venue. The sun is shining. The birds are singing. It's a beautiful day.

Happy living!