Carrot and Orzo Salad with Fresh Dill

(makes 8 servings)

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally into 2” pieces
  
• 1 pound orzo pasta
  
• ½ cup loosely pack fresh dill, chopped
  
• 5 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
  
• ¼ cup olive oil, divided
  
• 4 scallions, white and light green parts only, chopped
  
• Juice of 2 lemons
  
• Zest from the 2 lemons
  
• Salt and pepper, to taste
  

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  
• Toss carrots and garlic cloves with 2 tbsp of the olive oil in a small-sized bowl. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until carrots are browned and tender (about 15-20 minutes). Remove from oven and let cool for about 10-15 minutes.
  
• In a small-sized bowl, squeeze out pulp from garlic cloves and discard skins. Mash pulp with the back side of a spoon until it resembles a paste.
  
• Cook orzo according to package instructions. Drain in a colander (do not rinse) then remove to a large-sized bowl. Toss with remaining olive oil then add carrots.
  
• Combine lemon juice, zest, scallions and garlic paste in a small bowl. Mix in dill then pour over orzo mixture and toss until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
  

Make 8 Servings:

Weight Loss Recipes Amount Per Serving(⅛ of recipe (256 g)): 221 Calories, 5 g Protein, 36 g carbohydrates, 6 g Dietary Fiber, 7 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 62 mg sodium