Mediterranean Orzo Spinach Salad Food

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil, season with salt, and cook the orzo for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse, and set aside to cool.
• Transfer the cooled orzo to a large mixing bowl. Add the spinach, chopped vegetables, and olives, then crumble half of the feta cheese over the pasta.
• In a small bowl, whisk the canola oil, olive oil, lemon juice, oregano and salt and pepper until mixed. Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta mixture and gently fold until the pasta and veggies are coated. Taste for seasoning and top with the remaining feta cheese.
• Refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight before serving. The pasta is best within 2-3 days, but will last in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Pour the broth into a heavy large saucepan. Cover the pan and bring the broth to a boil over high heat. Stir in the orzo. Cover partially and cook until the orzo is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes. Drain the orzo through a strainer. Transfer the orzo to a large wide bowl and toss until the orzo cools slightly. Set aside to cool completely.
• Toss the orzo with the beans, tomatoes, onion, basil, mint, and enough vinaigrette to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve at room temperature.
• Mix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desired.
• Yield: 1 3/4 cups

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing: In a jar or bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and some salt and pepper until totally combined.
• For the salad: Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the orzo according to the package directions. Drain and let cool.
• Place the orzo, chickpeas, red and yellow tomatoes, olives, feta, parsley and onions in a large mixing bowl and pour the dressing over the top. Stir to combine and taste; add salt and pepper if needed. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
• Top with more feta and parsley and serve as a main dish salad or with grilled chicken, fish or burgers!

SPINACH AND ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in spinach, feta, onion, pine nuts, basil and white pepper. Toss with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Refrigerate and serve cold.

SAVORY MEDITERRANEAN ORZO

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Stir in orzo; cook over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until tender. Remove from the heat., In a small skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir into orzo mixture. Stir in 1 cup cheese, spinach, red peppers, squash, salt and pepper., Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

MEDITERRANEAN 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 9 minutes. Drain well. Rinse with cold water and drain well again.
• Combine orzo, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, olives, and Asiago cheese in a large bowl.
• Whisk garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl to make the vinaigrette. Drizzle over the orzo mixture and toss lightly to combine. Add basil and parsley and mix well. Let sit for 20 minutes for flavors to blend, stirring occasionally.

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD WITH FETA VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water.
• Combine orzo, spinach, and next 5 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl.
• Drain artichokes, reserving marinade.
• Coarsely chop artichokes, and add them along with the reserved marinade and 1/2 cup of feta cheese to orzo mixture, tossing gently to coat.
• Sprinkle each serving with remaining feta cheese.

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD WITH FETA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to instructions on package. Drain and rinse under cool water.
• Add orzo to spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
• Drain the artichoke hearts, but keep the marinade for later.
• Coarsely chop artichoke hearts and add to orzo.
• Add marinade and feta cheese.
• Mix well.
• Add more salt if needed.