Stormy Sunday-- Italian Style Minestrone, Orzo Salad & Bruschetta

It was a stormy cold day so I stayed home, cleaned house, watched old movies and made comfort food.

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Orzo salad

1 c Orzo(cooked)
1/4 C Onion
1C cherry tomatoes quartered
2 tb basil
2 tb kalamata/ 2tb green olives sliced
2 tb capers
2 TB Dijon
¼ tsp sugar
3 Tb balsamic
3 tb oil
3.5 oz feta
S&P

Lemon juice

**toss & chill

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Mushroom & Feta Bruschetta

2 small cans mushrooms (diced)

4 tomatoes (seeded and diced)

1 bunch of basil (chopped)

1Tb capers

2-3 garlic cloves minced

Vinegar and Oil to taste (I used garlic oil)

S&P

1/4C Feta

Toss all ingredients except feta.

Once everything is mixed gently mix in feta.

Serve on toasted Italian bread

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Minestrone

**When I have a party , there are always leftovers from the veggie tray. I save the veggies and make minestrone***

1/2 c onion (diced)

1 cup celery(diced)

1 cup carrot(diced)

1 cup bell pepper(diced)

1-3 cloves garlic minced

1 -15oz can diced tomatoes

1-15 oz red kidney beans

1 qrt beef broth

1/2 C. Pasta optional

1Tb Italian Seasoning

basically throw it all in the pot, bring to boil reduce to simmer for 45 mins.