Cowboy Orzo Mix (Printable Version)

Black beans, juicy corn, crunchy veggies and orzo all come together with chipotle lime. Makes a filling lunch or add to any meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
02 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
03 - 1 cup canned corn kernels, drained
04 - 1/4 medium red onion, diced
05 - 1 large bell pepper, diced (mix of green and red is great)
06 - 1 large tomato, diced
07 - 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked

→ Dressing

08 - 1 teaspoon sea salt, taste and add more if you want
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or whatever tastes good to you
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
13 - 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Drizzle your finished dressing over the salad. Use salad tongs or a big spoon and mix everything up so it’s all coated. It’s ready for you to enjoy right away or you can chill it if you like it cold.
02 - In a big bowl, throw together the cooked orzo (cooled off), chopped tomato, bell peppers, onion, corn, beans, and cilantro. Give everything a good mix until it looks nicely combined.
03 - Grab a jar or a small bowl. Pour in olive oil, lime juice, maple syrup or honey, chipotle powder, cumin, sea salt, and black pepper. Put the lid on or use a whisk and give it a good shake or mix until everything blends and looks smooth. Taste to see if you wanna change anything.
04 - Fill a big pot with water and salt it a bit. Let it come to a boil, then add the orzo. Boil until it’s just cooked through (check the bag for timing). Dump it in a colander, rinse with cold water so it stops cooking and cools down.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Wanna pump up the protein? Sliced grilled chicken, shredded beef, bacon, steak bites, or shrimp totally work.
02 - If you like, toss in some feta or queso fresco for that tangy and creamy bite.
03 - Don’t have orzo? Quinoa, couscous, farro, or plain rice make tasty swaps.
04 - If you want to keep things vegan, use maple syrup in the dressing and pass on anything cheesy or meaty.
05 - Pop leftovers in a container with a lid and park it in the fridge for two days max, so the flavor stays bright and it doesn’t smell weird.

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