Orzo Salad With Giardiniera And Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Recipes

ORZO WITH SMOKEY TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place the tomatoes in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the tomatoes are tender and the skins are charred in spots, about 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and place in a large serving bowl.
• For the vinaigrette: Place the tomatoes, basil, vinegar, olive oil, honey, smoked salt, and pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth.
• Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta and toss until coated. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Season with smoked salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

ORZO SALAD WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook pasta in boiling water until just tender, about 8 minutes.
• Drain.
• Place garlic, salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar into a food processor.
• Process well.
• Add oil, process briefly until well blended.
• Pour over orzo while pasta is still warm.
• Add tomatoes to pasta along with olives and chopped parsley.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Toss again and adjust seasonings, if necessary.
• Serve immediately, or refrigerate for later use (can be made earlier in the day).
• Best served at room temperature.

ORZO, FETA, AND TOMATO SALAD WITH MARJORAM VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook orzo in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Rinse under cold water until cool. Drain well. Transfer to large bowl.
• Whisk lemon juice, 5 teaspoons marjoram, mustard, and lemon peel in small bowl. Whisk in olive oil. Set aside 2 tablespoons vinaigrette. Add remaining vinaigrette, cheese, onions, and olives to orzo; toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and let stand 2 hours to allow flavors to develop. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate salad and remaining vinaigrette separately.)
• Toss tomatoes with reserved vinaigrette. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix tomatoes into orzo. Sprinkle orzo with remaining 1 teaspoon marjoram and serve.

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.

MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo as directed on package, omitting salt; drain. Place in large bowl.
• Whisk dressing, basil and lemon juice until blended. Add to orzo with remaining ingredients; mix lightly.
• Refrigerate 1 hour.

GREEK STYLE ORZO SALAD WITH BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
• Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a medium-size bowl.
• While pasta is still hot, stir in the rest of salad ingredients and dressing to taste.
• Salad is good immediately while still warm, or also chilled or at room temperature.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO BASIL ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Place basil leaves and sun-dried tomatoes in a food processor. Pulse 4 or 5 times until blended.
• In a large bowl, toss together the orzo, basil-tomato mixture, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Serve warm or chilled.