Orzo Pasta Salad

An easy summer Orzo Pasta Salad with fresh herbs, cucumbers, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, red onions, and feta cheese tossed with a fresh lemon mustard vinaigrette. This side dish goes perfectly with grilled fish, chicken, pork, or beef. Or enjoy it as a vegetarian main dish. Coursepasta salad/side dish Prep Time:15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Servings8 servings Calories211kcal AuthorBeth Pierce Ingredients Salad Dressing ⅓ cup olive oil 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon of lemon juice 2 cloves of minced garlic 2 teaspoons of honey 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Salt and pepper to taste Orzo Pasta Salad 1 ½ cups orzo pasta ½ English cucumber diced 1 cup halved grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes ⅔ cup chopped artichoke hearts ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion 1 block of cubed or crumbled feta 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, mint, or parsley (or combination) Salt and pepper to taste Click the next button for the preparation method Instructions Put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. Cook the orzo slightly al dente according to the package directions. Rinse under cold water and drain well. Add the olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, honey, and Dijon mustard to a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake to combine. Season with kosher salt and black pepper, to taste. Once the orzo pasta fully cools, add it to a large bowl with the cucumbers, grape tomatoes, artichoke hearts, red onion, and feta cheese. Shake the dressing again and drizzle over the pasta salad. Toss the pasta salad to combine. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and gently toss again. Notes Orzo is a short-cut pasta shaped like grains of rice. It can be found down the pasta aisle at your local grocery store. Cook the orzo pasta slightly al dente and drain well. You want it with a little bite to it. The important part is that you do not overcook it. Let the pasta cool before adding the vegetables, so they do not wilt. I purchased a block of feta cheese and cut it into cubes, but you could use feta crumbles as well. Blue cheese crumbles are delicious as well. I use grape tomatoes when we do not have fresh garden tomatoes that are not yet available, but if you do, make sure you use them. Their flavor is unsurpassed. Fresh herbs are essential for this salad. I use a mixture of basil, mint, and parsley, but thyme and fresh dill work well too. Dried oregano and dried marjoram work well too. Make it a Greek orzo pasta salad and add Kalamata olives, garbanzo beans, and lemon zest. This salad can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance, but hold off adding the fresh herbs until a couple of hours before serving. Store the salad covered in the fridge until it is ready to serve. Make it a main dish by adding grilled chicken or grilled shrimp. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you know you are going to reserve part of the salad, withhold the fresh herbs until they are ready to serve. Nutrition Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 0.1mg | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 216IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

Orzo Pasta Salad

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