In the realm of summer salads, the Summertime Orzo Salad stands as a delightful symphony of flavors and textures. This vibrant dish combines the hearty goodness of orzo pasta with a medley of fresh and colorful ingredients. From the crisp sweetness of bell peppers and cucumber to the tangy bite of red onion and feta cheese, each element comes together in perfect harmony.
Let's take a closer look at the delightful recipes featured in this article:
1. **Summertime Orzo Salad with Grilled Vegetables:** This vibrant salad elevates the classic orzo salad with the smoky, charred flavors of grilled vegetables. Bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes are grilled to perfection, adding a delightful depth of flavor to the mix.
2. **Orzo Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing:** This refreshing and zesty salad is a celebration of bright citrus notes. The tangy lemon-herb dressing, made with fresh lemon juice, herbs, and a touch of honey, perfectly complements the tender orzo and crisp vegetables.
3. **Mediterranean Orzo Salad:** Inspired by the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, this salad is a delightful fusion of textures and tastes. Sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese add a savory richness to the mix, while fresh herbs and a tangy dressing complete this flavorful journey.
4. **Greek Orzo Salad:** This classic Greek salad gets a delightful twist with the addition of orzo pasta. Juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tangy feta cheese are tossed with a simple yet flavorful vinaigrette, creating a refreshing and authentic Greek salad experience.
5. **Orzo Salad with Roasted Chicken:** This hearty and satisfying salad is perfect for a protein-packed meal. Tender roasted chicken is combined with orzo, roasted vegetables, and a creamy dressing, making it a complete and flavorful dish.
Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure as you explore these delectable summertime orzo salad recipes. With a variety of flavors and textures to choose from, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
SUMMERTIME ORZO SALAD
Spiced up orzo salad with fresh veggies. It goes great with grilled meats and vegetables. Take it out of the fridge and add a splash of olive oil 30 minutes before serving.
Provided by FrackFamily5 CA->CT
Categories Pasta and Noodles Pasta by Shape Recipes
Time 8h45m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.
- While pasta is cooking, place peas, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, artichokes, and tomato into a large bowl and toss.
- Drain cooked orzo, but do not rinse or cool. Toss hot pasta with the veggies in the bowl and mix in vinegar, seasoning mix, and oil.
- Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours, or overnight. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 87.8 calories, Carbohydrate 12.9 g, Cholesterol 0.4 mg, Fat 3 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 2.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 115 mg, Sugar 1.4 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.
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.
SUMMERTIME ORZO & CHICKEN
This easy-as-can-be main dish is likely to become a summer staple at your house. It's that good! If you prefer, grill the chicken breasts instead of cooking in a skillet. -Fran MacMillan, West Melbourne, Florida
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain., Meanwhile, in a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook and stir chicken over medium heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl., Add cucumber, onion, parsley and pasta. In a small bowl, mix lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper; toss with chicken mixture. Serve immediately or refrigerate and serve cold. Top with cheese before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 320 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 65mg cholesterol, Sodium 742mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
Tips:
- Prep your ingredients ahead of time: Chop your veggies, cook your orzo, and make your dressing in advance to save time when assembling your salad.
- Use fresh, seasonal ingredients: This will give your salad the best flavor and texture.
- Don't be afraid to experiment: You can add or remove ingredients to suit your taste. For example, if you like spicy food, you could add some red pepper flakes to the dressing. Or, if you're a fan of feta cheese, you could crumble some on top of the salad.
- Make sure your salad is well-chilled before serving: This will help the flavors meld together and make the salad more refreshing.
Conclusion:
Summertime orzo salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for potlucks, picnics, or backyard barbecues. With its vibrant colors and fresh flavors, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. Plus, it's a great way to use up leftover orzo. So next time you're looking for a light and refreshing summer dish, give this summertime orzo salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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