Description
Ina Garten’s lemon orzo salad brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate with zesty herbs and crisp vegetables. Summer’s perfect side dish combines tangy feta cheese, fresh dill, and bright citrus notes that invite refreshing flavors to dance across your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Cheese:
- 1 cup small-diced feta, preferably Greek (4 ounces / 115g)
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Base and Liquids:
- 1 cup orzo (200 grams)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons good olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious saucepan and fill it with 2 quarts (1.9 liters) of water, bringing the liquid to a vigorous rolling boil. Sprinkle of salt into the bubbling water to enhance the cooking process.
- Carefully introduce the orzo pasta into the boiling salted water. Allow the water to return to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook the orzo uncovered for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta reaches a perfect al dente texture with a slight firmness.
- Position a colander in the sink and pour the cooked orzo into it, ensuring thorough drainage. Shake the colander gently to remove excess water, then transfer the pasta to a spacious mixing bowl.
- Zest the lemon carefully, capturing only the bright yellow outer layer. Squeeze the same lemon to extract its fresh juice. Add the fragrant lemon zest and tangy juice to the warm orzo.
- Drizzle high-quality olive oil over the pasta. Finely mince fresh dill and sprinkle it into the mixture. Season generously with of salt and of freshly ground black pepper, mixing thoroughly to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Cube the feta cheese into small, uniform pieces. Gently fold the cheese into the seasoned orzo, allowing the warm pasta to slightly soften the cheese without completely melting it.
- Serve the orzo salad immediately while still warm, ensuring the flavors are at their peak. The dish can be enjoyed as a vibrant side or light main course.
Notes
- Squeeze lemons just before mixing to capture the brightest, most vibrant citrus flavor in your dish.
- Prevent mushy pasta by stirring orzo occasionally and checking texture during cooking, aiming for that perfect al dente consistency.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta gently over the top moments before serving to maintain its delicate, creamy texture.
- Taste and adjust seasonings boldly, ensuring each bite bursts with balanced, harmonious flavors that dance on your palate.
- Embrace flexibility by serving this versatile salad warm or at room temperature, letting the ingredients shine at their most delicious moment.
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 267 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 23 mg