Description
Savor summer’s essence with Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad, a colorful medley of fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and tangy feta. Zesty lemon dressing and al dente orzo invite you to experience a delightful culinary journey through Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 cups (355 ml) orzo pasta, uncooked
- 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (150 g) cucumber, diced
- 0.5 cup (75 g) red bell pepper, diced
- 0.25 cup (40 g) red onion, finely diced
- 0.5 cup Kalamata olives, halved
- 0.5 cup (85 g) canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsps fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 0.25 cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsps fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted water pot to rolling boil, immerse orzo, and cook until perfectly tender (8-10 minutes). Immediately drain and refresh with cold water to halt cooking process and cool rapidly.
- Vegetable and Herb Composition: Simultaneously, dice tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and onion into uniform pieces. Thoroughly rinse chickpeas, crumble feta cheese, and finely chop fresh parsley and dill for vibrant flavor infusion.
- Dressing Creation: Craft a zesty Mediterranean vinaigrette by whisking extra virgin olive oil with fresh lemon juice, grated lemon zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper until emulsified and aromatic.
- Salad Assembly: In a spacious mixing vessel, combine cooled orzo, precisely chopped vegetables, kalamata olives, protein-rich chickpeas, crumbled feta, and herbaceous parsley and dill. Drizzle prepared dressing over ingredients and gently fold to ensure comprehensive coating without bruising delicate components.
- Flavor Melding and Serving: Allow salad to rest in refrigerator for minimum 30 minutes, enabling ingredients to harmonize and develop complex Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile. Serve chilled or at ambient temperature as a refreshing side or light main course.
Notes
- Cool pasta immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent a mushy texture, ensuring a perfect al dente consistency.
- Use fresh herbs sparingly to complement, not overpower, the Mediterranean flavors; adjust quantities based on personal taste preference.
- Swap chickpeas with grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for different dietary needs while maintaining the salad’s light and refreshing profile.
- Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly and let sit for 10 minutes before adding to the salad, allowing flavors to meld and intensify the overall taste experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg