“The definition of (angler’s) insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.” Albert Einstein
Over the holiday weekend Kurt and I went fishing. We hopped on a charter boat out of Belmar with 30 strangers, paid $150 for the two of us and set up to make fishing history in the NY/NJ harbor. Well, maybe not fishing history, but I was hoping to catch the largest fish and win the $300 pool. Apparently the way to catch Blues is to throw the hook with fake bait in the water and then reel it in to convince the fish that the bait is alive. The “trick” is to keep doing that over and over and expect to eventually catch something. It doesn’t work!!!! No one, I repeat, no one caught anything. Either the fish is super smart or we have all lost our minds.
The moral of the story is ocean fishing is pure insanity!
Oh and apparently sunscreen doesn’t work the same way when you’re out in the ocean because I am still recovering from a massive sunburn.
Let’s eat!
This is a perfect salad for fishing trips, picnics and other outdoor activities. It makes for a delicious addition to barbecues and holds up perfectly without becoming mushy or watery. The way I like to pack it is right into small mason jars for individual serving portions.
Love you all! Enjoy the rest of your week.
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Rating
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 4-5
- 1 large summer squash, cut lengthwise into ¼ thick slices
- ½ small red onion, chopped
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- ½ cup tomato (heirloom), seeded and chopped
- 4 leaves napa cabbage, thinly sliced
- 10 basil leaves, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup arugula micro greens or baby arugula roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (good quality) plus a little more
- 1 tsp vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
- Using a paper towel dab the moisture off the summer squash. Brush with olive oil and season with salt.
- Preheat the grill, arrange slices on top and grill a few minutes on each side (until you see nice grill marks). Allow to cool.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook orzo according to package directions. Drain, rinse well with cold water to cool and set aside.
- Chop summer squash into bite size chunks and add to the bowl with orzo.
- To the same bowl, add red onion, tomato, napa cabbage, basil and arugula.
- In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, vinegar and pepper. Pour over the pasta and vegetables. Stir gently to combine.
- Now season well with salt. (I like to add salt at the last moment, I feel that's the best way to season this salad)
This looks delicious! I love the addition of the cabbage. I have been eating a fair bit of orzo at the moment, it is so good, isn’t it.
I am new to your blog, but I will be back
I have added you to my list to check out daily 
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted..Healthy Chocolate Bars
Thanks Dannii. I’m so glad to hear that.
That looks amazing!!! I love all the colors & vegetables!
Anne recently posted..Inverted Seseme Rice Balls
Thanks Anne.
What beautiful fishing photo’s only matched by your stunning salad, what lovely colors and I love the sprig of basil on top. We grow so much summer squash and I’m always looking for innovative ways to use it!
My F-I-L is a former charter captain on Lake Ontario, we yes, we do lots of fishing in this family! Go out for mostly salmon. The big ones. You know! I’ve grown to enjoy it though =)
Laura @ Raise Your Garden recently posted..Do You Clean Up After Your Dog?
I am looking forward going again but probably more land fishing than ocean.
What a beautiful salad! I love using orzo, and what a great idea to add in some squash!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted..Cinnamon Cookie Butter Mug Cake
Orzo holds us so great. I love it as well.
I love this salad. Looks so refreshing! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning Olivia.
I get SO bored fishing! My dad has a fishing boat that he takes out into the SF bay, and everytime I think it is going to be so excited and fun, but really it’s a lot of sitting and reeling. We do have fun spending time together, but I’d rather do that at home in the shade. At least you had some gorgeous views! Just think of your trip more as a boat ride, haha!
This orzo salad sounds delicious! I love that you used micro greens. So pretty and colorful!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely recently posted..Peach and Burrata Arugula Salad
We had a blast just hanging on the boat and while I enjoy fishing I do not like coming home empty handed.You are so lucky that your dad has a boat. Kurt and I would love to own one some day.
Well it looks like you guys did have fun! I love that you used squash in this, can’t wait to try!
Annie @Maebells recently posted..Dark Chocolate Coconut Mocha Donuts
Oh yum! This looks amazing! YUM! I love fresh food in the summer time… or actually any time!! Haha, but this looks so seasonal and delicious!!
Cailee recently posted..Hello Healthy Eating Business Cards!
Love you pictures
I haven’t been fishing in such a long time, but my husband keeps saying he wants to take our kids out. Sorry about your sunburn. We would spend the whole weekend out on the lake and there never seemed to be enough sunscreen to keep from getting burnt.
I always think it taste better grilled.
This salad looks amazing. I love using orzo in salad recipes. Great use of summer squash
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods recently posted..Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
Love the pictures even if you didn’t catch any fish
This salad sounds perfect to take along on a trip or bbq, love how bright and colorful it is. The grilled summer squash is such a great idea too!
Yum!! This just looks like summer to me. My his band and I did the deep sea fishing thing a few years ago and I was sure we’d catch something giant we’d cook up ourselves. Ummmm not so much, but hey the experience is fun!
You’re right Nicole the experience was worth it anyways. Plus its gorgeous being out in the ocean overlooking the harbor.
This orzo salad is just gorgeous! Love the idea of grilling summer squash. P.S. Did I mention your photos are GORGEOUS?!
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven recently posted..Chicken Veggie Wraps with Mango Sauce
Thank you Sarah, you are very kind.
I’m so happy to hear that
I have never understood fishing. Unless you are fishing for survival, but that’s a totally different story! I always end up reading a book while holding the rod and then never catch anything. This salad looks amazing! So fresh! I almost impulsively picked up a napa cabbage at the farmers market today but resisted, and now I wish I hadn’t!!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking recently posted..Nutella Swirled Banana Bread
I think it takes a ton of patients to go fishing. I would rather be cooking. I love your salad. Looks like it would be great for a nice summer day.
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness recently posted..Sweet and Spicy Drumsticks
Kathy!! What a fabulous and colourful pasta salad.. Have a picnic coming up this weekend.. will definitely be taking this salad along..
Arpita@ TheGastronomicBong recently posted..Orange Almond Cake with Candied Orange
Kathy, this is such a pretty salad! And oh so healthy as well!
It sounds like you had a fun but not so successful fishing trip! Oh dear! The promise of that $300 prize sounds like a bit of a con to me!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane recently posted..weekend brunch: roasted eggplant, pesto & bocconcini panini
Simple, healthy, and delicious!
Pam recently posted..Tropical Smoothie with Pineapple, Coconut, and Banana
This orzo salad is absolutely delicious! Sorry about that burn – I’ve been there. Get some aloe!
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes recently posted..Raw Brownie Bites
I totally get this story. I used to go offshore fishing all the time with my dad…mostly for fear of missing out. Now I just like when he brings back whatever he catches (or doesn’t catch…hahaha). This orzo salad is gorgeous!
Bri | Bites of Bri recently posted..Key Lime Pie Popsicles
As someone who grew up on the Jersey shore, when fishing for blues, you either get 100 or none at all. Bluefish travel in huge schools, and they’re very fast, so you can fish all season and never even see one. Or you might luck upon a fish convention, and they practically jump onto the boat. Fish for the winter. The upside of NO fish is no fish cleaning. Either way, it’s a great way to spend a day.
You are right Jeri, a fabulous way to spend the day.
Oooh, this looks like such a great summer salad! I love orzo in cold pasta salads, and I bet all the flavors mesh so well together. Pretty healthy, too! Sorry about your lack of fish (and sunburn – ouch!), but at least it looks like you got to enjoy beautiful, beautiful scenery by the looks of your photos!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life recently posted..Hint of Curry Chicken Salad with Cashews
What a fabulous looking salad! Your pictures are gorgeous. Love the vibrant colors. I think I feel healthier just looking at them
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen recently posted..Pineapple Upside Down Cocktail
You are so kind
Total bummer you didn’t catch anything and you got severely sunburnt, thats the worst! I enjoy the ocean fishing more than the land fishing, something about being on the water, the peace and quiet makes me all reflective. Your salad looks amazing, I like that it holds for a long period of time too. Fantastic using orzo, thats one ingredient I just don’t think to use. Fabulous and oh so pretty salad, Looking forward to getting around all your posts. Happy weekend, Cheers, Anna
Anna recently posted..Bringing home the Bacon! #Oink
Thank you Anna. I hope you enjoy the rest of the posts. Thank you for stopping by.
I’m sorry to hear you got an unruly sunburn — that’s the pits! The fishing trip sounded like a wonderful experience, however, and this orzo looks delicious. I love the idea of grilling summer squash!
marcie recently posted..Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sriracha Enchilada Sauce
Who needs to catch any fish when you have a delicious salad like this to enjoy on the fishing trip! Ha! This looks really amazing. Love your blog!
Sarah @ Running On Brie recently posted..Roasted Broccoli and Mixed Green Salad with Sesame Satsuma Dressing
So tasty! That appears irresistible!
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