Chickpea Orzo Salad Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKPEA AND ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo (1 cup) in boiling water with 1 teaspoon of the salt until al dente.
• Drain and return to pot, and stir with 1 tablespoon olive oil and greens. Allow greens to wilt from the heat of the pasta, stirring occasionally. Allow mixture to cool for at least ten minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, minced garlic clove, and lemon juice to make the dressing in the bottom of a large bowl
• Add the remaining ingredients and cooled orzo mixture, to the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat.
• If you have time, allow salad to sit for at least thirty minutes (or overnight) in the fridge before serving to allow flavors to marry.
• Serve drizzled with extra olive oil.

ORZO SALAD

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

CHICKPEA, FETA AND ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt and oil. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain well.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir lemon juice and oil with wire whisk. Stir in cucumber, onion, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper.
• In large bowl, gently toss tomato and chickpeas; stir in pasta, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the cucumber mixture. Add cheese; toss gently.

CHICKPEA ORZO SALAD WITH HARISSA-ROASTED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Make the eggplant: Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil and harissa, then mix in the eggplant cubes and red pepper to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer vegetables to one of the baking sheets and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and charred in places.
• Meanwhile, make the orzo: Bring a medium pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook to al dente according to package instructions. Drain, add to a large bowl, and mix with about 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Set aside to cool slightly while you finish cooking.
• Spread the walnuts on the other baking sheet and toast in the hot oven (alongside the vegetables if you have room) for 4 to 6 minutes, until they're fragrant and the skin is papery. (Watch carefully: These burn easily!) Roughly chop.
• To the big bowl with the warm orzo, add the roasted vegetables. Then add the chickpeas, walnuts, olives, herbs and mozzarella. Taste for salt and pepper, and adjust as necessary. Stir in an additional dollop of harissa, if you'd like. Serve over a bed of greens for a more traditional salad.

GREEK-ISH ORZO SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS, OLIVES, & CAPERS

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package instructions. I like to salt the heck out of the water - once it tastes like ocean water, you're there!
• Drain orzo and let cool.
• Add orzo to a medium mixing bowl along with the remaining ingredients. Mix well. Yep, that easy! Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
• Transfer to a serving bowl and, well, serve!
• Keeps in a sealed container in the refrigerator for about 4 days.

SPINACH-ORZO SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Stir in orzo; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until al dente, 8-10 minutes., In a large bowl, toss spinach and warm orzo, allowing spinach to wilt slightly. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, parsley and green onions., Whisk together dressing ingredients. Toss with salad.

CHICKPEA ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• In a saucepan, place the pasta in boiling water and cook for 9 to 11 minutes, until al dente.
• Drain and cool under cold running water.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, mustard, mint, and seasonings, forming a vinaigrette.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the orzo, tomatoes, scallions, cucumber, garlic and olives.
• Blend in the vinaigrette, feta, and if desired, chickpeas (Also good with black beans).
• Chill for 1 hour before serving.
• Place over a bed of lettuce.

ORZO WITH CHICK PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook to al dente.
• Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet, add zucchini, onions and garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook 6 to 7 minutes until tender, add chick peas and heat through. Toss with herbs, orzo and cheese, adjust salt and pepper and serve.

ORZO SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS & CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook the orzo according to package directions. I strongly suggest adding a couple teaspoons of salt or so to the water for extra flavor.
• Throw the orzo into a large bowl with the tomatoes, onion, drained garbanzo beans, basil, and mint.
• In a small bowl, make the vinaigrette: Whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and olive oil.
• Pour the vinaigrette over the orzo, veggies, and herbs, and toss gently until well incorporated.
• Season to taste with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
• Great when served at room temperature, but also refreshing served chilled.

GREEK ORZO SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS & ARTICHOKE HEARTS

Steps:

• Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Cook orzo until just tender, about 9 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool. Press to remove excess water. Transfer to a medium bowl and toss with oil.
• Mash garlic and salt into a paste with the back of a spoon in a medium bowl. Whisk in lemon juice and pepper. Add the cooked orzo, artichokes, chickpeas, feta, dill and mint; toss gently to combine. Add tomatoes and toss again.
• Divide spinach between 2 plates and top with the salad.