Best 3 Refreshing Summer Orzo Salad Recipes
Calling all orzo lovers! This refreshing summer orzo salad is packed with bright flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This delightful dish features a medley of fresh vegetables, herbs, and tangy dressing, making it a perfect side dish or light lunch option.
The salad starts with a base of cooked orzo pasta, providing a slightly chewy and nutty base. This versatile pasta pairs perfectly with the other ingredients in the salad. The addition of bell peppers, cucumbers, red onion, and tomatoes brings a vibrant burst of color and flavor. The vegetables are diced into bite-sized pieces, ensuring a satisfying crunch in every bite.
Fresh herbs, such as parsley and basil, add a layer of aromatic freshness to the salad. These herbs not only enhance the flavor but also add a beautiful pop of green color. For a tangy and zesty touch, a dressing made with lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and honey is drizzled over the salad. This dressing perfectly balances the flavors of the vegetables and herbs, creating a harmonious taste experience.
To complete the salad, crumbled feta cheese is sprinkled on top, adding a salty and creamy element that complements the other ingredients beautifully. The feta cheese also adds a touch of visual appeal to the dish, making it even more inviting.
This refreshing summer orzo salad is incredibly easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a perfect dish for potlucks, picnics, or backyard barbecues. With its vibrant colors, delightful flavors, and refreshing taste, this salad is sure to be a hit at any gathering.
SUMMER ORZO SALAD
Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian
Categories side-dish
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat a grill to high heat.
- Toss the scallions in a bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the scallions until the bulbs are tender and the greens are well-charred, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool. (Alternately, you can char the scallions in a cast-iron pan on the stove.) Chop the white and light green parts finely, then discard the remaining ends of the scallions.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo. Drop in the orzo and begin to cook. Meanwhile, add the chopped scallions to a medium bowl. Add the vinegar, Dijon mustard, remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and half of the olives and whisk until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
- When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and rinse to cool. Immediately toss in some of the vinaigrette, along with the cucumber, tomatoes, herbs, red onion and remaining olives. Mix well. Add more dressing to taste. Top with the goat cheese and serve.
REFRESHING SUMMER ORZO SALAD
This is a wonderfully light salad for those hot summer nights. If you like, it goes well with the addition of either tuna or grilled chicken, and you can vary the amount of feta depending on your taste.
Provided by prell2k4
Categories Salad Pasta Salad
Time 35m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring the chicken broth to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo pasta, and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well, then pour the orzo into a bowl, and toss with the butter to keep it from sticking; set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, and cook until the garlic softens and the aroma mellows, about 2 minutes. Stir in the basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, and pine nuts. Cook and stir until the pine nuts have toasted to a light golden brown.
- Stir the pine nut mixture into the orzo along with the olives, capers, feta cheese, spinach, and lemon juice. Serve either warm or cold, but it's better the next day.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 553.5 calories, Carbohydrate 49.6 g, Cholesterol 43.6 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 19.3 g, SaturatedFat 10.8 g, Sodium 1004.1 mg, Sugar 4.8 g
SUMMER ORZO
I'm always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, feel free to do the same here! -Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch Side Dishes
Time 30m
Yield 16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook orzo according to package directions for al dente. Drain orzo; rinse with cold water and drain well. Transfer to a large bowl., In a large nonstick skillet, heat water over medium heat. Add corn; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Add to orzo; stir in tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, onion, mint and, if desired, capers. In a small bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper until blended. Pour over orzo mixture; toss to coat. Refrigerate 30 minutes., Just before serving, stir in almonds.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 291 calories, Fat 15g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 501mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 11g protein.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in your orzo salad. Look for ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tender herbs.
- Cook the orzo al dente: Orzo should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked orzo will be mushy and unpleasant.
- Let the orzo cool before assembling the salad: This will help prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- Use a light dressing: A simple vinaigrette or lemon-herb dressing is all you need to dress your orzo salad. Avoid using heavy, creamy dressings, which will weigh down the salad.
- Add some protein: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu are all great additions to orzo salad. If you're using chicken or shrimp, be sure to cook it until it is cooked through.
- Add some crunch: Chopped nuts, seeds, or croutons add a nice crunchy texture to orzo salad. You could also add some roasted vegetables, such as roasted broccoli or cauliflower.
- Chill the salad before serving: This will help the flavors to meld and will make the salad more refreshing.
Conclusion:
Orzo salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed all summer long. It's perfect for picnics, potlucks, and backyard barbecues. With so many different variations, there's sure to be an orzo salad recipe that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a light and refreshing meal, give orzo salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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