Description
Creamy and zesty Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to your plate with delightful ease. Fresh dill, tangy capers, and rich salmon mingle perfectly, creating a refreshing summer dish you can savor with pure culinary pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad Ingredients:
Main Protein:
- 7 ounces (200 grams) smoked salmon, roughly torn/sliced
Pasta and Carbohydrates:
- 10.5 ounces (300 grams) uncooked orzo
- 1 bagel, sliced into semi-circles
Vegetables and Additions:
- 5.3 ounces (150 grams) cucumber, sliced into small pieces
- ½ small red onion, finely diced
- 2 ½ tablespoons capers
- Olive oil or oil spray (for croutons)
Dressing Ingredients:
Creamy Base:
- ½ cup (120 grams) full-fat mayonnaise
- ½ cup (120 grams) sour cream
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 heaped tablespoon fresh chives, finely diced
- 1 heaped tablespoon fresh dill, finely diced
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Instructions
- Transform bagel slices into crispy croutons by spreading them on a baking sheet, lightly coating with olive oil, sprinkling with sea salt, and roasting in a preheated oven at 350°F until they turn golden and achieve a satisfying crunch. Allow the croutons to cool completely to maintain their texture.
- Prepare orzo pasta in generously salted boiling water, cooking until it reaches a perfect al dente consistency. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process and cool the pasta quickly. Shake the colander vigorously to remove excess moisture.
- Craft a vibrant dressing by whisking together the designated ingredients until they form a smooth, well-integrated mixture that will enhance the salad’s overall flavor profile.
- Assemble the salad in a spacious mixing bowl by combining the chilled orzo with crisp cucumber, briny capers, sharp red onion, and the prepared dressing. Gently fold in the homemade croutons and delicate smoked salmon, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients throughout the dish.
- For optimal taste and texture, serve the pasta salad immediately. Alternatively, refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld together, creating a refreshing and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.
Notes
- Toasting bagel pieces adds a delightful crunch and prevents sogginess in the pasta salad, ensuring each bite has a satisfying texture.
- Rinsing orzo with cold water stops the cooking process and prevents clumping, creating a perfectly separated and refreshing base for the salad.
- Chilling the salad before serving allows flavors to meld together, intensifying the taste of smoked salmon and complementing the tangy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg