Summer Orzo with Basil Pesto

All of the tell-tale signs of autumn are ever so slightly starting to appear.  It's not quite light out when I wake up, the morning walk to my car is getting a little too brisk to be sleeveless, and many of my favorite summer food prices at the supermarket are beginning to drift back up (why can't we just have $2.50 pineapples forever??). I love love love fall, but I'm not sure I'm ready yet to say good-bye to long days and abundant sunshine. 

When summer nostalgia hits, the only thing to make is pesto.  There is nothing more summery than fresh basil. It's like those bright little leaves have stored up all the flavors of sunshine and are just waiting to burst out into a party on your tongue. This particular pesto is very easy to make and, tossed with an assortment of summer foods, was the perfect dinner to remind me that warm days are still here.

Side note: Patrick would like me to inform all of you that this is "So so good. Want more in my belly. Now." ...So there's an endorsement for 'ya.

-Recipe after the jump-

Summer Pasta Salad

Pat's dad is one of those people with a truly remarkable skill to just "whip things up."  At dinner time, the whole family hangs out in the kitchen chatting, while he chops, sautés, and generally does cooking things you're not really aware of until...VOILA dinner is ready.  He's never hurried, never stressed, and never checking things excessively.  Based on his attitude, you'd think he's making butter noodles or something equally mindless but oooooh no no no. Everything he makes....is....AWESOME.  He swears it's nothing impressive because it's so simple, but the thing is, it's impressive precisely because it's simple.  

Last time we visited, he made this pasta salad and I fell completely in love with it.  The light lemon vinaigrette really allows the other ingredients to speak for themselves, while giving the salad a brightness that is perfect for hot summer evenings.  I only hope I can look as nonchalant tossing it together!