Hey everyone, hope you are having an amazing day today. Today, I will show you a way to prepare a distinctive dish, orzo pasta salad. It is one of my favorites food recipes. This time, I will make it a little bit unique. This will be really delicious.
This light and refreshing cold pasta salad is loaded with the flavors of the Mediterranean, and pairs well with grilled proteins, such as fish, pork, chicken or steak. If you make this in advance, reserve a bit of the dressing to add right before serving, as the pasta has a tendency to soak up the dressing as it sits over time. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
Orzo Pasta Salad is one of the most popular of recent trending foods on earth. It is easy, it’s fast, it tastes yummy. It is enjoyed by millions every day. Orzo Pasta Salad is something that I’ve loved my whole life. They are nice and they look fantastic.
To get started with this recipe, we must first prepare a few ingredients. You can cook orzo pasta salad using 12 ingredients and 6 steps. Here is how you cook it.
The ingredients needed to make Orzo Pasta Salad:
- Take 1 C orzo
- Make ready 3 garlic cloves; smashed
- Prepare 1 oz basil
- Take 1 lemon; zested & juiced
- Get 1/2 t crushed pepper flakes
- Prepare 1/2 red onion; medium dice
- Take 1/2 C extra virgin olive oil
- Get 8 slices bacon
- Prepare 6 large leaves spinach; chiffonade
- Make ready 4 oz mozzarella cheese; small dice
- Take 3 Campari tomatoes; seeded & small dice
- Take kosher salt & black pepper; as needed
In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, basil, onions and spinach. Drain pasta; add to tomato mixture. Place the orzo and all the other ingredients in a large mixing bowl and pour the dressing over the top. Stir to combine, taste and adjust seasonings, and refrigerate at least an hour before serving.
Steps to make Orzo Pasta Salad:
- Combine basil, garlic, red onion, pepper flakes, lemon zest and juice, olive oil, and a large pinch of salt and pepper in a food processor. Pulse until combined.
- Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo. Cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain. Spread out on a plate and cool in refrigerator.
- Combine orzo, spinach, cheese, and tomatoes in a small mixing bowl. Add dressing. Fold to combine. Cover and let sit in fridge overnight to marinate.
- Lay bacon on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400° for approximately 12 minutes or until bacon is crispy. Drain fat and reserve for another use. Pat bacon dry with paper towels. Roughly chop to a small dice.
- Fold 3/4 of bacon into salad amd reserve remaining bacon for garnish.
- Variations; Feta, oregano, zucchini, mint, parsely, roasted or raw bell peppers, roasted garlic/tomatoes, cucumber, white vinegar, champagne vinegar, white wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, port, peppadew, arugula, pepperoncini, provolone, pepperoni, toasted pine nuts, parmesean, romano, gruyere, parmigiano reggiano, pecorino, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, olives, giardenera, anchovies, habanero, gouda, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, goat cheese, pancetta, prosciutto, caramelized onions or shallots,
Top with more feta and parsley and serve as a main dish salad or with grilled chicken, fish, or burgers! Place the orzo, chickpeas, red and yellow tomatoes, olives, feta, parsley and onions in a large mixing bowl and pour the dressing over the top. Stir to combine and taste; add salt and pepper if. Orzo pasta is tossed with spinach, red onion, feta cheese, pine nuts, basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, creating a delicious, colorful cold salad. Greek Orzo and Grilled Shrimp Salad with Mustard-Dill Vinaigrette.
So that is going to wrap it up for this special food orzo pasta salad recipe. Thank you very much for reading. I am sure you will make this at home. There is gonna be interesting food at home recipes coming up. Remember to save this page in your browser, and share it to your family, friends and colleague. Thanks again for reading. Go on get cooking!
