For the most part, new Food Network hostess Mary Nolan has gone unnoticed and unheralded since her episodes began airing this summer. To be perfectly honest I mostly tune in because I really like her hair. Although, she absolutely freaked me out during the “Posh Picnic” episode when she repeatedly touched raw meat, followed by the blender, and finished off her germ spreading spree with a good hard pull on the refrigerator handle. Most of you probably didn’t even notice, but I’m a total germaphobe. I practically went into apoplectic shock after they discontinued the Dawn “Wash ‘n’ Toss” because that meant I would have to use sponges to wash dishes. Sponges seriously gross me out.
Even after all of those cooking missteps, I still wanted to try some of the recipes from Mary’s show. Her hair must really be impressive, right? Seriously though this salad is absolutely delicious. The tangy sugar laced dressing is amazing paired with corn and creamy avocado chunks. CK and I ate this for three days and never complained once. So Mary you (or at least your Orzo Salad) get our stamp of approval. PS: I know your Food Network kitchen is fake and all, but just try to wash your hands once in a while, OK?
Orzo Salad (recipe courtesy of Mary Nolan)
1 cup whole-wheat orzo pasta (Note: I used regular Orzo)
3 ears corn, shucked and kernels removed from cob (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
Bring a pot of generously salted water to a rapid boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package directions, adding the corn in the last minute of cooking, until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a medium bowl. Set aside. Pour the lime juice over the avocado and coat evenly (this will minimize discoloration). Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, sugar, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Drizzle over the orzo and add the avocado with lime juice, tomatoes, and parsley. Mix until combined and serve warm or at room temperature.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Her hair IS awesome but never seen her show and I watch embarrassing amounts of the Food Network. Great looking salad! I’ll be on the look out for her show.
Love orzo. This sounds great! I’ve never seen anything hosted by Mary Nolan (no TV currently), but when that changes, I can’t wait to tune in.
i have no idea who she is, but i kinda wanna tune in now just to see her hair. i love orzo salad, and this one sounds particularly good.
I’m not sure how I feel about the show. The time she devotes to table settings at the end is a little too “Semi-Homemade” for me. But I’ll consent to the nice hair. And this dish looks delicious!
Orzo salad is one of my favorite things to make in the summer. My newest “version” of it is with bulghur.
This looks like a perfect summer salad!
That orzo recipe looks good. I like the corn, avacado mixutre !
I make an Orzo with feta cheese, peas and onion.
Thanks,
Sharon
Orzo salad always seems like the perfect thing for a summertime lunch. I love how full of veg goodness this one is.
I love it when I not only find a delicious recipe but I happen to have all the ingredients! This orzo looks fresh and perfect for summer.
I love orzo salads, and this one will be perfect to try for the warm weather.
Never seen the show, or even heard of it! How can FTV spend money on producing a show and then not even pimp it?
you should seriously write a letter and say that!
Haha, I don’t know who she is, but now you’ve left me curious 😛
Your orzo salad sounds great for the summer. Light and refreshing it looks. I’ll defiantly try this very soon!
Looks delicious and I have all those ingredients on hand right now. I just might be making that tonight or tomorrow!
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