It's SPRING, right???

It seems to me as if we have fired straight through spring right into summer!  After spending a hot day inside a humid middle school with a host of malodorous middle school students, I was ready to cruise home, fire up the AC and let the cooling begin.  Hitting the screen door, flying through the kitchen--I dropped my bags on the counter.  My sweaty palms flew to the thermostat to dial up the cool air.  Click....click...nada.  Sweat dripped from my brow as I hastily dialed my resident to-do man--my husband.  "Honey, I don't know"  Bad answer.

 Threw open the windows, drew back the sashes and let the humid air stream in....uggh.  Now--the dinner plan...spaghetti and meatballs?  Too hot.  Steaks on the grill?  Low on propane.  Take out?  No one can agree.  NOW what???  I searched my email archives and came across this recipe.  My daughters, 13 and 18 LOVED it.  An excellent recipe for a hot night!

Our AC has since been fixed, but this recipe is a keeper!

Orecchiette Salad with Roast Beef

Prep Time:15 min

Cook Time:10 min

Level: Easy

Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

•Kosher salt

•8 ounces orecchiette pasta

•1 cup bocconcini (small mozzarella balls), halved

•1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, quartered

•8 small sweet marinated peppers (such as Peppadew), quartered

•3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint or basil

•3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

•1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

•2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

•Freshly ground pepper

•4 cups baby arugula/or mixed greens

•8-10 ounces deli-sliced roast beef, cut into strips

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs; drain but don't rinse.

Meanwhile, combine the bocconcini, artichokes, marinated peppers and mint/basil in a serving bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, and salt and pepper to taste and toss. Add the pasta and toss again.

Just before serving, stir in the arugula and roast beef. Season the salad with pepper.

Per serving: Calories 500; Fat 22 g (Saturated 7 g); Cholesterol 49 mg; Sodium 548 mg; Carbohydrate 51 g; Fiber 3 g; Protein 26 g

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