Cucumber-Orzo Salad & Red Velvet Whoopie Pie Recipes

I was a major house"wife" this weekend.... if only I could get that "wife" title ;).... and did lots of cooking and cleaning.  Two great new recipes came out of playing housewife: 1.) cucumber-orzo salad and 2.) Red Velvet Whoopie Pies!

Cucumber-Orzo Salad

1 c plain yogurt (or Miracle Whip)

1/3 c vinegar 

1/2 c sugar

2 pkg (14 oz) cooked orzo 

1/2 green pepper, chopped 

1 cucumber, peeled and chopped

1 small onion, chopped

Mix yogurt, sugar and vinegar until smooth.  Add orzo and veggies, mix.  Chill until ready to serve.

This recipe is one that my aunt gave to me.  It is a refreshing, light, summery dish.  It makes a really big batch, far too much for little ol' me, so keep that in mind when you make it :)

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

2 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

3/4 c butter, softened

1 c sugar

2 eggs

1/2 c sour cream

1 Tbsp red food coloring

1 1/2 tsp white vinegar

1 tsp clear vanilla extract

2 1/4 c all purpose flour

1/4 c baking cocoa

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda 

Filling

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/2 c butter, softened

2 1/2 c confectioners' sugar

2 tsp clear vanilla extract

In microwave, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, sour cream, food coloring (I was missing this), vinegar and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.  

Stir in melted chocolate.  

Drop by the spoonful onto parchment paper or a greased baking sheet.  Bake at 375* for 8-10 minutes or until edges are set. Cool for a couple minutes before removing from the pan to wire racks to cool completely.  

A mouse got into one of the cookies ;) 

For the filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth.  

Spread filling on the bottoms of half of the cookies.  Top with remaining cookies.  Store in the refrigerator.  

Yummers!! 

Did you make any wonderful recipes this weekend?  What is your favorite summer recipe?

Cucumber