Description
Greek orzo salad celebrates Mediterranean flavors with zesty herbs and crisp vegetables. Fresh ingredients blend beautifully, creating a refreshing dish you’ll crave at summer gatherings and picnics.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup orzo (about 8 ounces / 226 grams)
- 4 ounces (113 grams) Greek feta, ½-inch diced (not crumbled)
- 2 cups baby arugula
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- ½ cup (¼-inch) diced red Holland bell pepper
- ½ cup (¼-inch) diced red onion
- 3 tablespoons minced fresh dill
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved lengthwise
Liquids and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus extra for serving (2 lemons)
- ½ cup good olive oil
- 3 tablespoons capers in brine, drained
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ lemon, thinly sliced, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta foundation by bringing 1.5 liters () of water to a rolling boil in a spacious saucepan. Introduce of salt, then carefully add the orzo, ensuring the liquid returns to a vigorous boil. Reduce heat and allow the orzo to simmer gracefully for 8 to 10 minutes until it reaches a perfect al dente texture.
- While the pasta cooks, craft the vibrant vinaigrette by whisking together 60 milliliters () of fresh lemon juice, 120 milliliters () of extra virgin olive oil, of salt, and of freshly ground black pepper in a clear measuring cup.
- Transfer the drained orzo to a generously sized mixing bowl. Immediately drizzle the aromatic vinaigrette over the warm pasta, ensuring thorough and even coating. Gently fold in the protein-rich chickpeas, crisp bell peppers, sharp onion, briny capers, fragrant dill, crumbly feta cheese, and robust olives.
- Just moments before serving, delicately incorporate the peppery arugula leaves. Garnish with bright lemon slices and add a final zesty squeeze of lemon juice. Taste critically and adjust seasonings to elevate the flavor profile.
- Serve the Mediterranean-inspired salad either warmly comforting or at a relaxed room temperature, inviting diners to savor the complex and harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
Notes
- Chill before serving to let flavors meld together, bringing out the deepest taste sensations in every bite.
- Balance the dressing by tasting and adjusting seasonings, ensuring each spoonful delivers a perfect harmony of zesty and fresh notes.
- Select crisp, vibrant vegetables that add crunch and color, transforming the orzo from simple to spectacular.
- Cook pasta just until tender, stopping right before it becomes mushy to maintain a delightful al dente texture.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time for a stress-free cooking experience that lets you enjoy the process and the final delicious result.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 630mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg