The Best Orzo Salad

By Rose Swartz June 21, 2023 32 mins read 102 Views

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For now, love yourself and enjoy this one ...

Now love yourself and enjoy this one ...

Are you going to a summer party? Do not forget to bring the Best Orzo Salad - a delicious combination of orzo, feta, vegetables, and a zesty homemade dressing. It works as an entree as well as a salad.

Table of Contents

No matter if summer is just starting or we are in the dog days of summer, there is always a good reason to gather with family and friends outdoors. It's always nice to see everyone pitch in with food for these events. Some people bring the standard food -- corn, salads, burgers. Others will be more creative and bring something ethnically diverse or a family favourite that's been handed down from generation to generation. As for me, I bring a Greek orzo salad. It's colorful, tasty, and satisfying, not to mention easy to store and prepare. You can now spend less time in your kitchen and more outside with friends and family. Win-win!

Orzo is a versatile pasta that I love to combine with crunchy vegetables and creamy cheese. With cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and chickpeas tossed in a homemade red wine vinegaraigrette you will be able to enjoy a summer meal that is full of flavor.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This salad is easy to make, despite the long list of ingredients. It takes less than 10 minutes.
It's usually a side, but you can make it a full meal by adding a protein like chicken, seafood or tofu.
You may have noticed that I don't make this dish very often in the winter. It's something special about eating it outside. It's like the taste comes alive when it is exposed to sunlight. This is a great choice for summer.

Orzo salad - Is it healthy?

Orzo, a pasta, contains carbohydrates, but it is also high in protein. This makes it an excellent choice over other pastas. Orzo is also available in whole-wheat varieties if you prefer a more healthy option.
Cucumber, tomato, and onion are high in vitamins and minerals and low in calories.
Chickpeas contain a lot of fiber that will help you digest and feel full. These beans are also an excellent source of plant-based proteins.
While high in sodium, feta and olives are rich in calcium and monounsaturated fatty acids, which promote heart health.

Ingredients

To make it easier to organize, I've divided the ingredients into two lists: one for the salad and the other for dressing.

The Salad

1/2 cup dry orzo pasta
Pinch of sea salt
Black pepper pinch
1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup of canned chickpeas , drained
1 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1 thinly sliced red onion
1 tbsp green olives, pitted
Fresh Italian basil sprig

Dressing

2 tbsp of red wine vinegar
Extra virgin olive oil 3 tbsp
1/4 tsp of dried oregano
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
Fresh black pepper and sea salt

Instrucciones

Whisk

In a small dish, whisk the oregano and mustard with the vinegar, olive oil, and oregano. Set aside. Season with pepper and salt.

Boil

Bring a large pot with salted water up to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta until it is al dente or according to the instructions on the package. Drain orzo and spread it on a baking tray to cool. Drizzle olive oil.

Combine

Combine the orzo cooked with the cucumbers, tomatoes and red onions in a large serving bowl.

Drizzle

Sprinkle the crumbled cheese on top of the salad after adding the dressing.

Season

Sprinkle the salad with salt and pepper, and then toss it in the dressing. Garnish the salad with Italian basil.

DEVOUR!

Variations

Add some grilled shrimp, chicken or tofu if you're looking for something more substantial. This new version will give you a boost of protein and fill you up.
You can add some depth to your salad by adding grilled vegetables such as asparagus and artichokes, sun-dried tomato slices, and sliced roasted peppers.
Don't feel obliged to add it. Parsley flat-leaf, dill or mint are all good options.

You might also like to try these other Mediterranean salads

Healthy Mediterranean Couscous Salad : A FFF classic I still enjoy. The couscous is slightly nutty in taste, but the vegetables brighten it up.

Mediterranean Cucumber Salad : This salad is a great choice for the summer. It's bright and refreshing. It's crunchy texture is a treat to eat.

Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta Salad : A Greek-inspired pasta salad with a protein boost thanks to chickpeas.

FAQs

How can I tell when orzo pasta has been cooked?

The answer varies depending on the brand. Consult the instructions on the package, but it shouldn't be more than 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, try a few orzo pieces. You should be able to chew the orzo.

My orzo salad tastes bland. Why?

It could be that the pasta was overcooked, or it didn't receive enough seasoning. You should season your salad with salt and pepper. Add herbs and spices such as fresh oregano or parsley to the salad for a more flavorful dish.

Can I prepare this salad in advance?

It may even taste better when made in advance, since the flavors will have a chance of blending together. The best time to make it is a day before. Store it in an airtight, refrigerator-safe container as described in the above section.

Can I make this recipe Vegan?

Absolutely! If you want to make this recipe vegan, simply leave out the feta or substitute a vegan alternative cheese. You have a wide range of options. You can also add avocados, toasted nuts, olives or more to the salad to give it a rich and creamy element.

Orzo Pasta: How to store it

Orzo Pasta tastes even better the next day. If you have leftovers, don't throw them away! Store them in a container that is airtight in the refrigerator. The shelf life is up to four days.

If you want to enjoy the pasta again, give it another good stir. This will mix the veggies and dressing together. It will also bring back the flavor. If you feel the salad is a little dry, add some lemon juice and olive oil.

The salad will be unevenly coated with the dressing and will become mushy when the vegetables are thawed. If you need to freeze some of your salad, you can keep the orzo separate from the chickpeas. Then, you can thaw the orzo and chickpea and combine them with fresh vegetables and dressing.

Orzo Salad: The Best Orzo Salad

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time 10 Minutes

Servings

Calories kcal kcal

Author Health and Fitness

Ingredients

The Salad

1/2 cup dry orzo pasta
pinch of sea salt
pinch of black pepper
1 small cucumber sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
1/2 cup chickpeas in can rinsed and drained
1 oz. feta cheese crumbled
1 sliced red onion
1 tbsp green olives pitted
sprig fresh Italian basil

Dressing

2 tbsp red wine vinegar
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
pinch sea salt and black pepper

Instructions

In a small dish, whisk the oregano and mustard with the vinegar, olive oil, and oregano. Set aside. Season with pepper and salt.
Bring a large pot with salted water up to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta until it is al dente or according to the instructions on the package. Drain the pasta, and drizzle some olive oil over it on a baking tray to cool.
Combine the orzo cooked with the cucumbers, tomatoes and red onions in a large bowl. Sprinkle the feta crumbles on top of the salad. Drizzle over the dressing. Sprinkle the salad with salt and pepper, and toss it to coat the salad with the dressing. Enjoy! Garnish the salad with Italian basil.

Notes

Add some grilled shrimp, chicken or tofu if you want something more hearty. This new version will give you a boost of protein and fill you up.

You can add depth to your salad by adding grilled vegetables such as asparagus and artichokes, or sun-dried tomato slices, or even roasted red pepper slices.
If you want to make this recipe vegan, simply leave out the feta or substitute a vegan alternative cheese. You have a wide range of options. You can also add avocados, toasted nuts, olives or more to the salad to give it a rich and creamy element.

Nutrition

Carbohydrates: 23g

The Best Orzo Salad was first published on Food Faith Fitness.

References:

By: Foodfaithfitness
Title: The Best Orzo Salad
Sourced From: www.foodfaithfitness.com/orzo-salad/
Published Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2023 21:56:59 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between curry and curried?

The spellings are the same. Both words refer the same thing: Indian food that uses meats and vegetables along with different seasonings.

Curry is derived in Hindi from kari, which means to rub. This refers the way that the spice mix is applied onto the food. Curry is typically prepared until the food is golden brown.

While curried dishes were once reserved only for special occasions they are now enjoyed regularly throughout India. They include chicken, beef and lamb as well as fish, vegetables and rice.

Plain white rice is often served with curried dishes. The most common accompaniments are raita (a yogurt paste) and chutney.

Which Thai spice do I need to cook Thai food at home?

In order to cook authentic Thai food at home you will need five spices: black pepper (cayenne), coriander seeds (coriander seeds), turmeric and cinnamon. Each ingredient has a unique flavor profile and plays an essential role in creating delicious dishes.

Black pepper enhances the savoury flavors of curry powder, while cinnamon gives it sweetness. Coriander seeds give curry powder its distinctive yellow colour, while turmeric adds a spicy kick. Cayenne peppers are hot, and cilantro adds freshness. A final ingredient is cinnamon, which adds depth and complexity.

Each of these spices can be found at your local grocery, but you may prefer to buy them online.

Which Spices and Herbs are Best Served with Potatoes?

A potato is a delicious side dish for almost all meats. You may be familiar with the many ways you can serve potatoes other than mashed.

From salads to casseroles, soups to pasta dishes, these versatile vegetables make tasty additions to most meals. You may not know, but many spices and herbs can go well with potatoes.

Spice up your following potato recipe with these delicious recipes.

Statistics

According to the McCormick Science Institute, indigenous Indian spices were cultivated as early as the 8th century BC in the gardens of Babylon. (spicecravings.com)
Their 14 to 20 percent essential oil content means that cloves have the highest concentration of aroma compounds of any spice. (masterclass.com)
India contributes to 75% of global spice production. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

How do you store your cooking spices?

I will tell you how to store cooking spices for optimal performance. First of all, we need to establish an understanding of the science behind the storage of foodstuffs.

Spices are stored in airtight containers away from the light because exposure to light diminishes their flavour. This is because oxygen reacts with organic compounds like those in spices to cause oxidation.

Spices should be kept in the dark cupboards and sealed tightly in airtight containers to prevent oxidation. These conditions can cause spices to quickly lose their flavor.

You can preserve the flavor of spices by keeping them in sealed jars, away from direct sunlight.

For a flavoured beverage, add herbs and spices. For example, mix two teaspoons of ground cinnamon with 1/2 cup of warm water and stir well. Serve immediately by adding a squeeze lemon juice.

You can add dried herbs and spices to soups, stews, casseroles, pasta, rice dishes, salads, and desserts. Just sprinkle the spice mix evenly over the dish. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before you serve.

You can add leftover cooked vegetables, fruits, meats and shellfish to your favorite recipes as snacks.

To get the best flavours from fresh herbs and spices, cut them or tear them and add them to hot foods. It is also possible to freeze herbs and spices in muffin cups or ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer them to freezer bags and zip-top plastic bag.