Fortunately for me, August has finally brought some time to head down the shore (that’s Philly for go to the beach), which also is Philly for make some Orzo Salad with Dill Pesto. You see, I tend to pack a picnic for shore days; this way I can head straight to my favorite beach and settle in for the day. I couldn’t possibly put down my book long enough to go find lunch, so I plan ahead. I like to steam plain veggies and bring cheese, fruit and crackers or a nice pasta salad. Pasta salads are great for the beach; as long as you don’t use any dairy, they generally hold up well without refrigeration. This Orzo Salad with Dill Pesto is a fun variation on pesto. Cashews substitute well for pine nuts if you’re trying to be frugal. They have a rich flavor that gets closer to the oomph of pine nuts than a lot of other nuts. Check it out next time you’re looking at store-bought pesto, cashews will be on the ingredient list; a lot of companies use them to keep production costs down. The dill is strong enough that you won’t want to use it … Continue reading →