Summertime Orzo & Chicken

3/4 c. uncooked orzo pasta

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-in. pieces

1 medium cucumber, chopped

1 small red onion, chopped

1/4 c. minced fresh parsley

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/4 c. crumbled feta cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook chicken over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink. (I seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a little cayenne)

In a large bowl, combine the cucumber, onion, parsley and chicken. Drain pasta; stir into chicken mixture. In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. Pour over chicken mixture; toss to coat. Serve warm or cold. Just before serving, sprinkle with cheese.

This was great warm the first day and cold the second... we really, really liked it. I was thinking it would be a great cold side if you left out the chicken. Yum.

Shrimp Pad Thai

8 oz. uncooked wide rice noodles

1 lb. small shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 Tbsp. canola oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 eggs, beaten

3 c. coleslaw mix

4 green onions, thinly sliced

1/3 c. rice vinegar

1/8 c. sugar

4-5 Tbsp. soy sauce

3 Tbsp. fish sauce

1 Tbsp. chili sauce

2 Tbsp. chopped salted peanuts, plus more for garnish

Chopped fresh cilantro leaves

2 limes, cut in wedges

Soak noodles in hot water until soft, about 30 minutes. In a large nonstick wok, stir-fry shrimp in oil until shrimp turn pink; remove and set aside. Add onion and garlic to the pan, stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Make a well in the center of the onion mixture; add eggs. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes until eggs are completely set. Add the coleslaw mix, green onions, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, fish sauce, chili sauce and peanuts; heat through. Return shrimp to the pan; heat through. Drain noodles; toss with shrimp mixture. Garnish with cilantro and peanuts.

This is from Taste of Home, with a few small changes. We thought it tasted pretty darn close to the real thing.