With a busy schedule and a few select quality ingredients on hand, this past weekend was one for simple no-cook recipes…
Like this!
Arugula.
Did you know I “didn’t like this stuff” until just recently…
Yea.
Not exactly sure what planet I was living on when I came up with that one.
Orzo. Round two.
And simple-to-serve cannellini beans.
Freshly chopped arugula…
Layered with steaming hot orzo…
And tossed gently so as to wilt the greens and cook them slightly.
Followed by some cannellini beans…
And seriously what could be considered one of my favorite foods ever that I about shrieked with joy over finding at our local Whole Foods.
Sadly, this is not a joke.
Remember this “best meal of 2012” during my recent visit to Cava Mezze while visiting my bestie in D.C.?
Remember me raving about the harissa that they served with fresh, warm pita to start the meal?
Yea. This stuff. Find it. Buy it. And get ready to be amazed.
Seriously.SO.GOOD. 
And what a great way to make a simple pasta salad into something super special!
Tomatoes, garlic, crushed red pepper, spices, olive oil.
Flavor.PUNCH.
Finish with just a bit of olive oil before really giving it a good toss.
Then voila!
Serve this cold, at room temp or even give it a quick heat in the microwave for a warm meal – do what ya want – it’s great any way! (I tried them all 
)
Have you ever had harissa before?
Spicy Harissa Orzo Arugula Salad 1. Boil orzo according to directions. While pasta boils, wash/chop arugula and rinse/drain beans. 2. Once pasta is done, drain. Add arugula to a large bowl and top with hot pasta, giving a good toss. Then add beans, harissa and olive oil, stirring until everything is incorporated evenly. Serve! Cool, room temp or heated up if you want
Serves 5-6
cookinfanatic
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cookinfanatic
Orzo is one of my favorite pastas! It makes such a great pasta salad- especially in the summer! Arugula is a great add on too.
Delicious Italian dish right there yummy! When I lived in Italy for a year arugula was eaten with eggs for breakfast, salads at lunch or on panini, and at dinner on pizza or tossed in pasta! Orzo white cannelloni beans and arugula looks delicious I am going to make a version over the weekend and add lentils as well yummy!
Lentils would make a great addition! Don’t know why I didn’t “do arugula” for so long, I really do love the stuff now!
I don’t think I’ve ever had harissa, but I would love to try it! I’ll have to check our Whole Foods!
Okay, I seriously need to find this stuff stat. Sounds AMAZING.
You would love it girl! You gotta check out Cava when you get a chance too!
That looks so good! Totally a meal I can get behind. I’m searching for the harissa on my next WFs trip
Definitely check it out, it’s so delicious and adds such great flavor to so many things! I just slathered some in a wheat wrap with sliced steak and it was phenomenal, and oh so easy. Such a fabulous condiment!
I love the simplicity but the uniqueness of this dish! I’ve used harissa spices but not in a “sauce” like that.
This looks so good Steph. I want some right now!