Summer Orzo Salad With Asparagus Cherry Tomatoes And Feta Recipes

ORZO SALAD WITH FETA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Fill a 4 qt pot three-fourths full with salted water and bring to boil for orzo.
• In a small heavy skillet, heat 1/2 TBS olive oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and saute pine nuts, stirring frequently until golden, about 2 minutes; transfer nuts to paper towel to drain and cool.
• In a large bowl, whisk together garlic, parsley, vinegar, salt and pepper; drizzle in remaining TBS olive oil, whisking all the while.
• Add tomatoes and feta to the dressing, tossing to combine.
• Cook orzo in boiling water until al dente; drain and rinse until just warm, then drain completely.
• Toss orzo and pine nuts with dressing, coating thoroughly, then serve.

SUMMER ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to high heat.
• Toss the scallions in a bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the scallions until the bulbs are tender and the greens are well-charred, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool. (Alternately, you can char the scallions in a cast-iron pan on the stove.) Chop the white and light green parts finely, then discard the remaining ends of the scallions.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo. Drop in the orzo and begin to cook. Meanwhile, add the chopped scallions to a medium bowl. Add the vinegar, Dijon mustard, remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and half of the olives and whisk until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and rinse to cool. Immediately toss in some of the vinaigrette, along with the cucumber, tomatoes, herbs, red onion and remaining olives. Mix well. Add more dressing to taste. Top with the goat cheese and serve.

ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, or until slightly past al dente. Drain the orzo and toss it with a little olive oil, so that it doesn't stick together. Spread onto a baking sheet to cool.
• Prepare the Greek Salad Dressing and add in the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, and sea salt.
• In a large bowl, toss together the cooked orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, feta, red onion, and olives. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, add half the herbs, season with freshly ground black pepper, and toss to coat. Garnish with the remaining herbs and serve.

SUMMER ORZO

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions for al dente. Drain orzo; rinse with cold water and drain well. Transfer to a large bowl., In a large nonstick skillet, heat water over medium heat. Add corn; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Add to orzo; stir in tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, onion, mint and, if desired, capers. In a small bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper until blended. Pour over orzo mixture; toss to coat. Refrigerate 30 minutes., Just before serving, stir in almonds.

ASPARAGUS, SUNDRIED TOMATO, AND ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 430 f. Wash asparagus, trim off woody ends, and then cut asparagus spears into 1 inch pieces. Combine in a baking dish with olive oil, garlic, and salt. Roast asparagus in oven for ~15 minutes, until just fork tender. Let cool slightly.
• Cook orzo in salted water, according to package directions.
• Cut tomatoes into small pieces or slices.
• Combine all ingredients and mix well.

SUMMER ORZO FETA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients together; toss well to combine (adjusting seasonings to suit taste).
• Mix in mayonnaise, adding in more to taste.
• Cover and chill for a minimum of 2 hours.

LEMON ORZO SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring 2 large pots of water to boil. Add a big pinch of salt in each.
• To one pot, add asparagus and blanch, about 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the thickness of your asparagus. Place blanched asparagus in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and keep them green.
• To the second pot, add the orzo. Cook per package instructions. When tender, drain and place in a large bowl. Add blanched asparagus and tomato halves.
• Mix olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stir into orzo and vegetables. Stir in parsley and grated Parmigiano Reggiano (omit the cheese to make this vegan.)
• This can be served warm, room temperature or cold.

ORZO WITH TOMATOES, FETA, AND GREEN ONIONS

Steps:

• Whisk vinegar, lemon juice, and honey in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil until it emulsifies. Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.).
• Bring water and broth to boil in large heavy saucepan. Stir in orzo, reduce heat to medium, cover partially, and boil until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Transfer to large wide bowl, tossing frequently until cool.
• Mix tomatoes, feta, basil, olives, and green onions into orzo. Add vinaigrette; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add pine nuts right before serving; toss. Garnish with fresh parsley.

ORZO WITH FETA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Fill a 4-quart pasta pot three fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil for orzo.
• In a small heavy skillet heat 1/2 tablespoon oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and sauté pine nuts with salt to taste, stirring frequently, until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer nuts to paper towels to drain and cool.
• Mince garlic and chop parsley. Quarter tomatoes and coarsely crumble feta. In a large bowl whisk together garlic, parsley, vinegar, remaining tablespoon oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Add tomatoes and feta and gently toss to combine.
• Cook orzo in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. In a large sieve drain orzo and rinse slightly until just warm. Drain orzo well and add to tomato mixture, tossing until just combined.
• Serve orzo topped with nuts.