There are few things I love more than a great, simple pasta dish.  I rarely have a particular formula in mind when it is a pasta night. Left up to me I would eat pasta every day!  I like to add a few handfuls of a hearty wheat pasta, fresh veggies and a good cheese in a bowl and call it dinner.

When it is just the boys and I this is usually what we do.  We can make a dinner out of a crusty loaf of bread, olive oil to dip and some cheese , veggies and fruit.  We do this a lot in the summer when we just don’t want to come in for dinner or it is just too hot.

This particular meal can come together quickly.  It also makes a great lunch to pack with your kids, if they are good veggie eaters.  It is light, quick to eat and filling enough to get them through the day!

I just use a bag of prewashed vegetables, a container of feta, juice and zest of a lemon, fresh pepper and coarse salt, olive oil and sometimes cherry tomatoes.  This is not much of a recipe, but this is like a lot of what I cook.  Throw a little of this, a little of that and it turns out great!

Orzo with Fresh Vegetable and Feta Toss

I like to chop it into more manageable bite sized pieces.  I buy this bag of mixed veggies when on sale or I just get what I want in whole form and chop. It’s up to you!

I cook one box of Orzo until just al dente but before it is done (in that last minute) I throw in my vegetables. It takes a little of the ‘crispness’ out. This is optional, of course.  I drain and add to a large bowl.

I drizzle over enough olive oil to coat, about 1/4 C. Squeeze on the lemon juice (to taste), zest fresh salt and pepper.  Lightly toss to coat.  I then add the cheese once it has cooled a little.  If you have it a great, GREAT addition here is a sprig of fresh chopped oregano.  If not sprinkle 1 teaspoon (or more if you like it) of dried oregano.  At this point add fresh tomato if you want to!

And that’s it!  Simple, quick and easy and something your whole family will enjoy!