Simple Orzo Salad With Black Olives And Feta Recipes

ORZO SALAD WITH FETA, OLIVES AND BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cook orzo in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Rinse with cold water; drain well. Transfer to large bowl. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped bell peppers, Kalamata olives, green onions and capers.
• Combine lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, mustard and cumin in small bowl. Gradually whisk in remaining 1/2 cup olive oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add dressing to orzo mixture and toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Garnish salad with pine nuts; serve.

TOMATO AND BLACK OLIVE ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the tomatoes on a sheet tray and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until the tomatoes are tender and just bursting slightly but not falling apart, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente (following package instructions). While the pasta is cooking, make a vinaigrette by pouring the juice from the bottom of the pan the tomatoes cooked in into a mixing bowl. Add the feta, vinegar, mustard, garlic, sliced basil, oregano, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Slowly pour in 3 tablespoons of the olive oil while whisking to lightly emulsify. Drain the cooked pasta and toss with the vinaigrette. Add the grape tomatoes, olives, chickpeas, roasted red pepper, pepperoncini peppers, onion and chopped basil and toss to combine.
• This is a great salad to serve with Mediterranean Sardines with Lemon and Garlic.
• For the spicy tartar: Combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, pickles, red pepper, onion, capers, lemon juice, tarragon, chives, hot sauce and cayenne in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well, then cover and refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes to allow flavors to come together.
• For the sardines: Preheat a grill to high. Rinse the sardines in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season the cavity of each sardine with salt and pepper, then place a sprig of thyme and oregano inside each along with a few slices of lemon and garlic. Season outside with salt and pepper. Carefully tie the sardines with butchers twine to help keep them closed during grilling. Wipe down the grill grates with a towel dipped in oil to clean and create a non-stick surface. Carefully place sardines across grates and grill for 3 to 4 minutes, until skin blisters and chars around the edges. Using a spatula, carefully turn the sardines and grill for a further 2 to 3 minutes to cook through. When done, remove to a platter and keep warm until ready to serve. Serve the sardines slathered with the Spicy Tartar.

ORZO AND TOMATO SALAD WITH FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain, and rinse with cold water.
• When orzo is cool, transfer to a medium bowl and mix in olives, feta cheese, parsley, dill, and tomato. In a small bowl, whisk together oil and lemon juice. Pour over pasta, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill before serving.

ORZO PASTA SALAD WITH FETA & OLIVES

Steps:

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

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD WITH FETA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to instructions on package. Drain and rinse under cool water.
• Add orzo to spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
• Drain the artichoke hearts, but keep the marinade for later.
• Coarsely chop artichoke hearts and add to orzo.
• Add marinade and feta cheese.
• Mix well.
• Add more salt if needed.

ORZO / TOMATO SALAD WITH FETA AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package for al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Once orzo has cooled, in serving bowl mix orzo, olives, feta, parsley, dill, and tomato.
• In small bowl, whisk together oil and lemon juice. Mix into salad.
• Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate and chill before serving.
• If you use dried dill, be sure to use plenty.
• Serves: 6 as a side dish.
• Also great as a main dish for lunch.

SIMPLE ORZO SALAD WITH BLACK OLIVES AND FETA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and boil until al dente, or just tender, according to package directions. Drain; rinse the pasta briefly with fresh water. Toss the still-warm pasta with all the other ingredients and season with salt and pepper. Taste, and add more lemon juice or seasonings, if needed.