Blue Cheese Orzo Salad Recipes

CARAMELIZED ONION AND BLUE CHEESE ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• While pasta is cooking, heat butter and oil in a large skillet over low heat. Cook onion in this mixture until golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from pan with a spoon and drain on paper towels.
• In a large bowl, combine blue cheese, mascarpone and onion and mix well. Toss cheese mixture with spinach and pasta, season with salt and pepper and serve.

BLUE CHEESE SPINACH ORZO SAUCE

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add the butter to melt. Once the butter has melted, reduce the heat, add the flour and stir to create a roux; the roux should be pale blond in color. Once the roux is made, reduce the heat again to low, add the milk, stirring into the roux and cooking until the roux has thickened. Finally, add the blue cheese, 1 cup at a time, until all the cheese has been added and well blended. Season with the salt and pepper blend. Remove from the heat and continue to stir to ensure consistency.
• Once the sauce has been prepared, add the orzo, spinach and tomatoes and stir to incorporate into the cream sauce. Allow the orzo to warm with the sauce, then remove from the heat and serve. This has a shelf life of 5 days.

BLUE CHEESE ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions; drain and place in a large bowl.
• Add the arugula, bacon, blue cheese, onions and walnuts.
• In a blender, combine the first six vinaigrette ingredients; cover and process until blended.
• While procession, gradually add oil in a steady stream.
• Drizzle over salad; toss to coat.
• Serve the salad immediately.