Lemony Basil Orzo Salad Recipes

HERB-LOVERS LEMONY ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large stockpot of generously-salted water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain pasta then rinse thoroughly in a strainer with cold water until the pasta is chilled. Transfer pasta to a large mixing bowl.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl (using cheese if desired). Toss until evenly combined. Taste, and season with a few generous pinches of salt and pepper, to taste. (I used about 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.) Also feel free to add in extra lemon juice if you'd like an extra-lemony salad. (
• Serve immediately. Or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

LEMON-BASIL ORZOTTO

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute until fragrant and translucent. Add the orzo and toast for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the wine and cook until absorbed.
• Gradually add the chicken stock, stirring frequently. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat, and cover. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until the liquid is almost absorbed and orzo is tender. Remove from the heat.
• Stir in peas, Parmesan, fresh basil, lemon zest, heavy cream, and lemon juice. Season the orzo with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

ONE-POT LEMON-BASIL ORZO AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add zucchini; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is lightly browned. Transfer zucchini to plate.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil, the onion and garlic to skillet. Cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until softened. Add orzo; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until orzo is lightly toasted. Stir in broth, tomatoes, chick peas, lemon peel, salt and pepper. Heat to boiling; cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook 8 to 10 minutes or until most of liquid has absorbed and orzo is almost tender.
• Add zucchini and lemon juice to orzo mixture; stir to combine. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 3 to 5 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. Stir in basil, and serve.

LEMONY BASIL ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring 5 quarts of water to a rolling boil and add 1/4 cup salt. Add the orzo pasta to the water and stir. Bring the water back up to a boil. Stirring occasionally, cook for 9 minutes.
• While the orzo is cooking, zest and juice the lemons into a large mixing bowl, and whisk in the olive oil.
• When the orzo is done cooking, drain it (do not rinse), and toss it with the dressing while still hot.
• Allow the pasta and dressing to cool while you chop the rest of the ingredients.
• Fold in the red peppers, grape tomatoes, green onions, parsley and basil.
• Refrigerate for at least two hours. Serve cold.

LEMON BASIL GREEK ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• To a large pot, add the orzo and cook according to package directions. Drain and return to pot or very large bowl; set aside.
• While orzo is cooking, to a large skillet add 3 tablespoons olive oil, onions, and cook for about 3 minutes; stir intermittently.
• Add the zucchini, garbanzo beans, season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper pepper, Italian seasoning, oregano, and cook for about 3 more minutes, or until zucchini is slightly softened; stir frequently to ensure even cooking.
• Add the garlic, stir to combine, and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
• Transfer the onion and zucchini mixture to the large pot with the drained orzo.
• Add the spinach (looks like a lot but it will wilt) and stir to incorporate. Stir for about 2 minutes, or until it begins to wilt from the carryover heat.
• Add the cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and stir well to incorporate.
• Add the feta and stir to combine. Tip - If you want the feta to remain more intact, don't add it until the orzo has cooled down a bit, or it will melt, which is totally fine, you just won't see the white crumbles.
• Taste, and as desired, add additional salt and pepper. I added an additional approximately 2 additional teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper because it's a very large quantity of food.
• If desired, drizzle in additional olive oil. I added another approximately 2 tablespoons for flavor and so that the orzo doesn't stick as it cools.
• Serve immediately. Recipe can be served warm, at room temp, or chilled.

LEMON ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook the orzo until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and rinse; set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooled orzo, garbanzo beans, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and parsley.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, dijon mustard, minced garlic, and kosher salt. Pour the dressing over the orzo and toss to combine.
• You can serve immediately or refrigerate and serve chilled. Taste for seasonings before serving.

LEMON ORZO

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt and the orzo. Return the water to a boil and simmer uncovered for 9 to 11 minutes, until the orzo is al dente. Drain.
• Transfer the orzo to a bowl and stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Fold in the feta and serve hot.