Recipe
This light and refreshing orzo salad is simple and delicious. The flavours are amazing with fresh tomatoes, creamy feta, fragrant basil and toasted pine nuts. Serve alongside any grilled meat for a tasty summer dinner or pack in a container for your lunch.
ORZO SALAD WITH TOMATOES, BASIL AND FETA VINAIGRETTE
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/3 cup olive oil
SALAD:
• 12 ounces orzo pasta
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 tablespoons thinly sliced chives or green onions
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 cup arugula or baby spinach, coarsely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup pine nuts, toasted (heat them in a dry skillet over
medium-low heat, tossing often until golden)
For the dressing, whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, honey and oil. Season to taste with a bit of salt and pepper. Set aside.
For the salad, cook the orzo in the chicken broth until tender according to package directions. Drain well but do not rinse. Let the pasta cool to room temperature, tossing often so it doesn’t stick together (stir in 1-2 tablespoons of the dressing if the pasta is overly sticky). Toss the cooled pasta with the tomatoes, chives or green onions, basil, and arugula or spinach. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and stir to coat the ingredients with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper, if needed. Sprinkle the feta and pine nuts over the top and toss lightly. Serve at room temperature.
*This salad, if refrigerated longer than an hour, will get a bit dry so if you want to make it in advance, consider increasing the dressing ingredients by half and reserving some of that dressing to pour over the salad right before serving (also, wait to add pine nuts right before serving).
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