MEDITERRANEAN MADE EASY

Take your taste buds on a foodcation with the coastal cuisine from Greece

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About Oregano

This herb is one of the most beloved in Greece. It's believed that Aphrodite herself created oregano as a symbol of happiness. Oregano has a sharp aroma and a flavor that can be described as earthy, a little grassy, with subtle hints of mint and pepper.

Greek Orzo Salad

Tart and refreshing, this side salad is a big hit. With all its tasty toppings, including red onion, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and a zesty dressing, you'd never know it has under 8 grams of fat. Tiny pasta called orzo gives it extra interest.

—Judy Roberts, Las Vegas, NV

Prep: 15 min. + chilling

Makes: 8 servings

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta

6 tsp. olive oil, divided

1 medium red onion, finely chopped

½ cup minced fresh parsley

⅓ cup red wine vinegar

1½ tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. sugar

⅛ tsp. pepper

2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped

12 pitted ripe or Greek olives, halved

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

1. Cook orzo according to package directions; drain. In a large serving bowl, toss orzo with 2 tsp. oil.

2. In another bowl, combine onion, parsley, vinegar, oregano, salt, sugar, pepper and remaining 4 tsp. oil; pour over orzo and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Just before serving, gently stir in tomatoes, cucumber, olives and cheese.

¾ CUP 167 cal., 6g fat (1g sat. fat), 4mg chol., 427mg sod., 24g carb. (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g pro.

DIABETIC EXCHANGES 1½ starch, 1 fat.

Greek Grilled Chicken Pitas

I switched up my mom's recipe to create this tasty pita pocket variation. It's delicious and perfect for warm days, with a cucumber sauce that goes great with fresh, crunchy veggies.

—Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, VA

Prep: 20 min. + marinating

Grill: 10 min. Makes: 4 servings