Best Sesame Orzo Salad Recipes

LIGHT AND REFRESHING SESAME ORZO SALAD

Light and Refreshing Sesame Orzo Salad image

This is something that I came up with to take to a cookout today. Grilled salmon and steak were served, and this went very well with it and was well-liked. This has a very delicate and subtle flavor (it was described by one person as "light and refreshing," which is where the name comes from). I wanted something with an Asian feel but I didn't want to make an Oriental coleslaw - I love those, but I just wasn't in the mood for anything that sweet or vinegar-y. The bulk of the flavor comes from the sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds, so I don't think those two ingredients should be substituted. This salad can be served at any temperature, but I do strongly recommend refrigerating overnight since it takes time for the flavor to fully develop. I liked the light taste and "dryness" of the dressing, but feel free to make up more dressing if your tastes are different than mine. This would also be good with rice in place of the orzo. This filled up a 2.5 quart serving bowl. Cook time is refrigerator time.

Provided by Vino Girl

Categories Peppers

Time 9h

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups orzo pasta, uncooked
1 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped
1/2 cup green onion, sliced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed and drained
1/2 cup carrot, finely grated
1/2 cup fresh mung bean sprouts
1 (5 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained
1/2 orange
2 tablespoons roasted sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons light sesame oil
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ginger, minced
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce

Steps:

Cook orzo pasta in boiling water for about 4 minutes.
Rinse with cold water and drain.
Place in a large bowl.
In a liquid measuring cup with a spout, mix the dressing ingredients together.
Slice the water chestnuts if they weren't presliced, and then cut the slices into quarters to make small pieces.
Add these to the bowl with the pasta.
Add the broccoli, onions, bell pepper, peas, carrots, and sprouts to the bowl, and mix gently but thoroughly.
Add the dressing and mix again.
Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
Before serving, stir the salad up to remix it, and sprinkle sunflower kernals on top.
Thinly slice the orange and then cut the slices in half.
Stand these up around the edge of the bowl as a garnish.
Serve cold or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 165.6, Fat 5, SaturatedFat 0.7, Sodium 36.6, Carbohydrate 26.1, Fiber 2.6, Sugar 3.9, Protein 5.1

FRAGRANT SESAME DRESSING FOR ORZO SALAD

Fragrant Sesame Dressing for Orzo Salad image

From a cookbook put out by a restaurant in Philadelphia called The Frog Commissary. The oil was reduced from the original recipe. This has a subtle sesame, orange, ginger flavor which goes well with flank steak or leg of lamb.

Provided by Oolala

Categories Vegetable

Time 25m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons sesame oil
1/2 cup rice vinegar or 1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1/2 teaspoon orange rind, grated
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons scallions, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, crushed
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons cilantro, minced
1 (16 ounce) box orzo pasta
1 cup carrot, shredded
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted

Steps:

Cook orzo according to directions on box.
Mix all other ingredients and blend over pasta and chill.
Add raisins, shredded carrots, and pine nuts, and mix gently.
Note, this can be made 1 day ahead of when you plan to serve it, just don't add the carrots or pinenuts until just before serving so they will remain crunchy.

ORZO SALAD WITH FRAGRANT SESAME DRESSING

ORZO SALAD WITH FRAGRANT SESAME DRESSING image

Categories Salad Pasta Side No-Cook Vegetarian

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

Fragrant Sesame Dressing
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup corn oil
1/2 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons rice wine or dry sherry
1/2 teaspoon orange rind
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 tablespoons minced fresh coriander or parsley
Salad
1 pound uncooked orzo
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 pounds shredded carrots
2 cups yellow raisins
1 cup pine nuts, lightly
1/4 cup sesame oil

Steps:

Cook the orzo in rapidly boiling water until tender-about 7-10 minutes, or according to package instructions. Refresh under cold water, drain well, and let rest 2-3 minutes. Toss with the sesame oil. Cool completely. Combine with the carrots, raisins, pine nuts and dressing.

ORZO SALAD WITH SESAME DRESSING

Orzo Salad With Sesame Dressing image

Make and share this Orzo Salad With Sesame Dressing recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories Vegetable

Time 1h8m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 lb orzo pasta, uncooked
1 tablespoon sesame oil
4 carrots, cut into thin strips
2 cups raisins
1 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons sliced green onions
3/4 cup corn oil
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup sesame oil
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons grated orange rind
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dry crushed red pepper

Steps:

To make dressing: add all dressing ingredients to the container of an electric blender; process until smooth; set aside.
Cook the orzo in boiling salted water to cover for about 8 minutes or until tender; drain, rinse, and drain again.
In a mixing bowl, toss the orzo and 1 tablespoon sesame oil.
Spoon half the orzo mixture into a large glass serving bowl; spread evenly.
Top with half the carrot strips, raisins, and sunflower kernels.
Repeat layers.
Drizzle 1 cup Sesame Dressing over the top.
Sprinkle the parsley and green onion evenly over the top.
Serve with the remaining Sesame Dressing.

SESAME ORZO SALAD

SESAME ORZO SALAD image

Categories Salad Pasta Side Quick & Easy Boil

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

Sesame Dressing:
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
3/4 C corn oil
1/2 C sesame oil
1/2 tsp grated orange zest
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp soy sauce
1 T sugar
2 T thinly sliced greeen onions
1 tsp minced fresh ginger
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 T minced fresh parsley
Salad:
1 lb uncooked orzo
1 T dark sesame oil
Add salt to taste
3 C shredded carrots
2 C raisins
1 C unsalted pine nuts or sunflower seeds lightly toasted

Steps:

Combine all dressing ingredients by hand or in food processor and set aside. Cook orzo for ten minutes in boiled salted water. Refresh under cold water and dreain well. Toss with sesame oil and cool completely. Combine orzo with dressing and raisins. Add nuts and carrots just before serving.