Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
286 kcal
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Course
Dinner
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Cuisine
Mediterranean
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Description
This salad brings together orzo pasta cooked to tender perfection, then flavored with lemon zest, juice, and olive oil. Shrimp are quickly sautéed with garlic and finished with lemon juice for a fresh seafood flavor. The salad includes a mix of Mediterranean ingredients—sliced kalamata olives, yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced red onion, peppery arugula, fresh mint (or basil), crumbled feta cheese, and wedge-cut cherry tomatoes—which add texture and bursts of taste.
The dressing of olive oil and mild champagne vinegar gently binds the ingredients, enhancing the brightness without overpowering. The salad can be served immediately or chilled, with tomatoes added just before service if prepared ahead, ensuring freshness.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups orzo raw
- lemon zest of 1
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice divided
- 2 Tbsp olive oil divided
- 1/2 lb Shrimp raw, 16/20 size
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup kalamata olives sliced in half
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper diced
- 1/2 small red onion slivered
- 2 cups arugula baby, rough chopped
- 2 Tbsp mint fresh, minced, substitute basil
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in wedges
- salt fresh cracked
- black pepper fresh cracked
dressing
- 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp champagne vinegar or other mild white vinegar
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in plenty of well salted water according to package instructions. Toss your freshly cooked orzo with the lemon zest, juice, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Put into a large salad bowl.
- Toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil and the minced garlic. Saute in a skillet until the shrimp curls and turns opaque. This won't take long, so don't over cook! Hit the pan with a squeeze of lemon juice at the end. Add to the bowl with the orzo.
- Whisk together the olive oil and vinegar for the dressing. Note: feel free to make extra dressing if you like your salads on the 'juicy' side.
- Add the olives, bell pepper, onions, arugula, mint, feta cheese, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the orzo and shrimp.
- Toss everything with the dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, or chill until ready to serve. Note: if you are making this ahead, wait until serving time to add the tomatoes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 286 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 286kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 54mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 411mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 275mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 406IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 42mg | 47% |
| Calcium | 98mg | 10% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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