Best Summer Orzo Salad Recipes

SUMMER ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to high heat.
• Toss the scallions in a bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the scallions until the bulbs are tender and the greens are well-charred, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool. (Alternately, you can char the scallions in a cast-iron pan on the stove.) Chop the white and light green parts finely, then discard the remaining ends of the scallions.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo. Drop in the orzo and begin to cook. Meanwhile, add the chopped scallions to a medium bowl. Add the vinegar, Dijon mustard, remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and half of the olives and whisk until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and rinse to cool. Immediately toss in some of the vinaigrette, along with the cucumber, tomatoes, herbs, red onion and remaining olives. Mix well. Add more dressing to taste. Top with the goat cheese and serve.

SUMMER ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water.
• Combine orzo, tomato, onion, bell pepper, celery, lemon-pepper seasoning, and salad dressing in a large bowl; mix well. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Mix in Parmesan cheese. Refrigerate for 2 more hours or overnight.

SUMMER CORN AND ORZO SALAD WITH CUCUMBER-FETA DRESSING

Steps:

• Place 1 cup feta cheese, half of cucumbers, oil and 1 tablespoon water in processor. Process until smooth. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cook orzo in large pot of boiling salted water until almost tender, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add corn; cook until pasta is just tender but still firm to bite, about 2 minutes longer. Drain pasta and corn. Transfer to large bowl. Add 1/2 cup feta cheese, remaining half of cucumbers and 1/3 cup chives; toss to combine. Mix in dressing. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup feta cheese and 2 tablespoons chives.

TOASTED COUSCOUS OR ORZO SALAD WITH GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLES

Steps:

• To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the vinegar, garlic and mustard with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the olive oil slowly while whisking to emulsify the dressing. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
• To marinate the vegetables, combine the vegetables in a shallow dish and pour half the vinaigrette over the veggies and toss. Let them marinate 45 minutes to 2 hours.
• Next, either grill or roast the vegetables. If you want to grill on a charcoal or gas grill, place the veggies on the grill or preferably on a grill screen and cook until cooked through and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. They should be tender but not soft. Remove the vegetables as they are cooked - they will cook at different rates. To roast the vegetables, spread all the vegetables except the tomatoes on a baking sheet and roast at 425°F oven for 40 minutes. Add the tomatoes in the last 15 minutes of roasting time.
• Let the vegetables cool.
• Cut the vegetables into smaller pieces. Cut zucchini and squash into 1/2 inch pieces. Quarter the tomatoes (if the skin peels off, discard it) and cut asparagus into 2-inch pieces. Cut peppers and onions into 1-inch pieces.
• While the veggies are cooling, put the broth in saucepan and bring just to a low boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to keep broth warm.
• In a saute pan or deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the couscous and stir often until toasted to golden brown.
• Add enough stock to cover the couscous by one inch.
• Bring to a boil. Cook about 10 minutes until al dente.
• Drain couscous and let cool to room temperature.
• Add the vegetables, basil, thyme, and parsley to the cooled couscous. Drizzle the remaining vinaigrette over the mixture and toss. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

SUMMER VEGETABLE SALAD WITH ORZO

Steps:

• Blanch the zucchini in salted boiling water for 20 seconds. Drain and refresh under cold running water. Drain well.
• Put the zucchini in a large bowl and toss with the tomatoes, bell peppers, arugula and lemon zest. Refrigerate until cold.
• Just before serving, cook the orzo until al dente. Meanwhile, toss the salad with the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Drain the orzo, toss with the salad, divide among 4 plates and serve immediately.

PERFECT GREEK SUMMER SALAD WITH ORZO

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing and set aside.
• Cook the orzo in plenty of boiling salted water for about 7 minutes or until tender. Do not overcook it. Drain well and transfer to a large salad bowl. Drizzle with a little of the dressing and toss to coat. Let it cool.
• Prep the vegetables and add them to the salad bowl. Add the olives and the Greek Feta cheese. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and toss gently. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Serve at room temperature.

SUMMER ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook psta in boiling water for five minutes, add green beans to pasta and cook for 5 minutes longer. Drain. Put pasta and green beans in salad bowl and toss with oil and vinegar.
• Add green pepper, capers, garlic and olives to pasta and toss.
• Add tomatoes and feta chesse and toss.
• Refrigerate before serving.
• ***This makes a good salad lunch when tossed with 1 small can (6 1/2 ounces) white tuna (drained and flaked).

SUMMER ORZO FETA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients together; toss well to combine (adjusting seasonings to suit taste).
• Mix in mayonnaise, adding in more to taste.
• Cover and chill for a minimum of 2 hours.

SUMMER ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl and toss well.
• Drain orzo; add to bowl and stir well.
• Serve at room temperature.

REFRESHING SUMMER ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring the chicken broth to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo pasta, and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well, then pour the orzo into a bowl, and toss with the butter to keep it from sticking; set aside.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, and cook until the garlic softens and the aroma mellows, about 2 minutes. Stir in the basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, and pine nuts. Cook and stir until the pine nuts have toasted to a light golden brown.
• Stir the pine nut mixture into the orzo along with the olives, capers, feta cheese, spinach, and lemon juice. Serve either warm or cold, but it's better the next day.