Ginas Orzo Salad Recipes

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

ORZO AND SHRIMP SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Peel shrimp, reserving the shells. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the garlic and shrimp in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, stirring frequently to keep the garlic from browning. When shrimp are cooked through, remove from heat, cool and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Bring water to a boil in a Dutch oven over high heat. Add shrimp shells, boil for 5 minutes, then strain out shells and discard. Stir in the orzo and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the asparagus pieces and continue cooking until the pasta is al dente, about 4 minutes. Drain into a mesh sieve, and rinse in cold water.
• Toss pasta and asparagus with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, shrimp, and green onions until evenly coated. In a separate bowl, whisk the vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, and basil until incorporated. Pour over pasta mixture and toss well; season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill for 2 hours.

ORZO AND BROCCOLI SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 2 min.; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain well.
• Place pasta mixture in large bowl. Add tomatoes, peppers and 3/4 cup dressing; mix lightly.
• Refrigerate 1 hour. Add cheese, nuts and remaining dressing; mix lightly.

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD

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 9 minutes. Drain well. Rinse with cold water and drain well again.
• Combine orzo, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, olives, and Asiago cheese in a large bowl.
• Whisk garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl to make the vinaigrette. Drizzle over the orzo mixture and toss lightly to combine. Add basil and parsley and mix well. Let sit for 20 minutes for flavors to blend, stirring occasionally.

ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Roast pine nuts in a rimmed sheet pan until golden, about 8 minutes.
• Cook orzo in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until tender, then drain well in a colander.
• Meanwhile, whisk together lemon juice, oil, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.
• Add hot orzo to dressing and toss. Let orzo come to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
• Add pine nuts, peppers, mozzarella, arugula, and radicchio and toss well.
• Season salad with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice, if desired.

RAINBOW ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the peppers and onion in a roasting tin and drizzle with half the oil. Roast for 20 mins, adding the tomatoes for the final 5 mins. Leave to cool.
• Cook the orzo following pack instructions, then run under cold water to cool before draining thoroughly. Toss with the vegetables, the remaining oil, the feta and basil. Will keep in the fridge for a few days.

GREEK ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions; drain. In a large serving bowl, toss orzo with 2 teaspoons oil. , In another bowl, combine the onion, parsley, vinegar, oregano, salt, sugar, pepper and remaining oil; pour over orzo and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2-24 hours. Just before serving, gently stir in tomatoes, cucumber, olives and cheese.