Light and Refreshing Sesame Orzo Salad
"This is something that I came up with to take to a cookout today. Grilled salmon and steak were served, and this went very well with it and was well-liked. This has a very delicate and subtle flavor (it was described by one person as "light and refreshing," which is where the name comes from). I wanted something with an Asian feel but I didn't want to make an Oriental coleslaw - I love those, but I just wasn't in the mood for anything that sweet or vinegar-y. The bulk of the flavor comes from the sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds, so I don't think those two ingredients should be substituted. This salad can be served at any temperature, but I do strongly recommend refrigerating overnight since it takes time for the flavor to fully develop. I liked the light taste and "dryness" of the dressing, but feel free to make up more dressing if your tastes are different than mine. This would also be good with rice in place of the orzo. This filled up a 2.5 quart serving bowl. Cook time is refrigerator time...."