Summery Chopped Orzo Salad Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Pour the broth into a heavy large saucepan. Cover the pan and bring the broth to a boil over high heat. Stir in the orzo. Cover partially and cook until the orzo is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes. Drain the orzo through a strainer. Transfer the orzo to a large wide bowl and toss until the orzo cools slightly. Set aside to cool completely.
• Toss the orzo with the beans, tomatoes, onion, basil, mint, and enough vinaigrette to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve at room temperature.
• Mix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desired.
• Yield: 1 3/4 cups

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing and set aside.
• Cook the orzo in plenty of boiling salted water for about 7 minutes or until tender. Do not overcook it. Drain well and transfer to a large salad bowl. Drizzle with a little of the dressing and toss to coat. Let it cool.
• Prep the vegetables and add them to the salad bowl. Add the olives and the Greek Feta cheese. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and toss gently. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Serve at room temperature.

Steps:

• Chop all veggies very small, and toss with cooked orzo.
• Add cheese, and toss again.
• Mix all dressing ingredients and shake hard in a container to emulsify.
• Dress salad with as much dressing as you'd like. You won't necessarily use it all.
• Chill and serve cold.

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.

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.

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.