Orzo with Vegetables

INGREDIENTS

2 cups orzo pasta

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

½ cup feta cheese, crumbled

½ cup red onion, chopped

½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted

¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

¾ cup marinated artichoke hearts, sliced

¼ cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped

¼ cup capers, rinsed

3 cups arugula

½ cup toasted pine nuts

Dressing

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 teaspoon oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

• Make orzo according to package directions. Set aside to cool.


• When orzo is cooled, transfer to a large bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Mix well.


• In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Pour over salad mixture and toss to coat.


• Adjust the seasoning according to taste.


• Refrigerate for a couple of hours prior to serving.

Tiramisù with Biscotti (Typical Italian cake)

INGREDIENTS:

 200 g (7 oz) of Mascarpone Cheese, room temperature
* 1½ tbsp of sugar
* 1 fresh egg
* 200 g (7 oz) Borrelli Almond Biscotti (try all 4 flavors)
* 2/3 cup of Italian espresso coffee, cooled
* 1 oz of Marsala-typical Italian sweet liqueur (optional)
* Cocoa powder (for sprinkling on top)

DIRECTIONS:

Make one cup of espresso coffee. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolk together with sugar to combine them. In a separate bowl beat the Mascarpone Cheese until smooth with a wooden spoon, and then add it to the mixture. In a separate bowl beat the egg whites until stiff and add them to Mascarpone Cheese, egg yolk and sugar mixture, fold until just combined. Prepare a shallow dish to soak the Biscotti inside a mixture of Marsala liqueur and coffee until soft. Arrange a layer of Biscotti in a serving bowl, then put the cream mixture on top and sprinkle with the cocoa powder. Chill for a couple of hours in the refrigerator.

For a crunchy topping take an Almond Biscotti and roughly grind in your hands. Sprinkle on top of cake after the cocoa topping for a crunchy texture.

Thank you to our friends at Borrelli Gourmet Foods for providing us this recipe.  Please go to www.borrelligourmetfoods.com for information on the wonderful products they produce.