Orzo Salad
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
8 mins
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Servings
6
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Course
Main Course, Salad
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Cuisine
American
Orzo Salad
Description
Orzo pasta is cooked until slightly softer than al dente and cooled to provide a tender base for this salad. The vegetables—sliced Persian cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, and kalamata olives—contribute crispness and briny flavor. Chickpeas add a creamy texture and protein element. Cubed feta cheese introduces a rich, salty creaminess, balanced by fresh herbs basil and mint, which bring a bright herbal quality. The salad dressing combines a homemade Greek salad dressing with added red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, and sea salt, giving a tangy, savory coating that melds all ingredients. Tossing the salad ensures each component is evenly flavored and retains its distinctive texture. This dish can be served as a refreshing accompaniment or a light vegetarian meal.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups orzo pasta dry
- 1 recipe Greek salad dressing
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt sea salt
- 2 cucumber halved vertically, and sliced ¼-inch thick, Persian
- 2 cups cherry tomato halved
- 1 cup chickpeas drained, and rinsed, cooked
- 4 ounces feta cheese cut into ¼-inch cubes
- ⅓ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup kalamata olives pitted
- 1 cup basil fresh leaves
- 1 cup mint fresh leaves
- black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, or until slightly past al dente. Drain the orzo and toss it with a little olive oil, so that it doesn’t stick together. Spread onto a baking sheet to cool.
- Prepare the Greek Salad Dressing and add in the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, and sea salt.
- In a large bowl, toss together the cooked orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, feta, red onion, and olives. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, add half the herbs, season with freshly ground black pepper, and toss to coat. Garnish with the remaining herbs and serve.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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