Simple Orzo Salad With Black Olives And Feta Food

ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, or until slightly past al dente. Drain the orzo and toss it with a little olive oil, so that it doesn't stick together. Spread onto a baking sheet to cool.
• Prepare the Greek Salad Dressing and add in the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, and sea salt.
• In a large bowl, toss together the cooked orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, feta, red onion, and olives. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, add half the herbs, season with freshly ground black pepper, and toss to coat. Garnish with the remaining herbs and serve.

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the orzo pasta according package instructions (mine took about 8 minutes). Drain and cool briefly.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the grape tomatoes, green onions, bell peppers, parsley, dill, olives and capers (hold the feta for now). Add the orzo pasta.
• Make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, oregano and a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Whisk to combine.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined and the orzo pasta is well coated with the dressing.
• Top with pieces of creamy feta cheese. Cover and refrigerate for a bit before serving.

TOMATO AND BLACK OLIVE ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the tomatoes on a sheet tray and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until the tomatoes are tender and just bursting slightly but not falling apart, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente (following package instructions). While the pasta is cooking, make a vinaigrette by pouring the juice from the bottom of the pan the tomatoes cooked in into a mixing bowl. Add the feta, vinegar, mustard, garlic, sliced basil, oregano, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Slowly pour in 3 tablespoons of the olive oil while whisking to lightly emulsify. Drain the cooked pasta and toss with the vinaigrette. Add the grape tomatoes, olives, chickpeas, roasted red pepper, pepperoncini peppers, onion and chopped basil and toss to combine.
• This is a great salad to serve with Mediterranean Sardines with Lemon and Garlic.
• For the spicy tartar: Combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, pickles, red pepper, onion, capers, lemon juice, tarragon, chives, hot sauce and cayenne in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well, then cover and refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes to allow flavors to come together.
• For the sardines: Preheat a grill to high. Rinse the sardines in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season the cavity of each sardine with salt and pepper, then place a sprig of thyme and oregano inside each along with a few slices of lemon and garlic. Season outside with salt and pepper. Carefully tie the sardines with butchers twine to help keep them closed during grilling. Wipe down the grill grates with a towel dipped in oil to clean and create a non-stick surface. Carefully place sardines across grates and grill for 3 to 4 minutes, until skin blisters and chars around the edges. Using a spatula, carefully turn the sardines and grill for a further 2 to 3 minutes to cook through. When done, remove to a platter and keep warm until ready to serve. Serve the sardines slathered with the Spicy Tartar.

SIMPLE ORZO SALAD WITH BLACK OLIVES AND FETA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and boil until al dente, or just tender, according to package directions. Drain; rinse the pasta briefly with fresh water. Toss the still-warm pasta with all the other ingredients and season with salt and pepper. Taste, and add more lemon juice or seasonings, if needed.

HERBED ORZO WITH FETA

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and a splash of oil, and bring the water to a boil. Add the orzo and simmer for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked al dente. Drain and pour into a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Pour over the hot pasta and stir well.
• Add the scallions, dill, parsley, cucumber, onion, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss well. Add the feta and stir carefully. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend, or refrigerate overnight. If refrigerated, taste again for seasonings and bring back to room temperature before serving.

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.

ORZO SALAD WITH FETA, OLIVES AND BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cook orzo in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Rinse with cold water; drain well. Transfer to large bowl. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped bell peppers, Kalamata olives, green onions and capers.
• Combine lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, mustard and cumin in small bowl. Gradually whisk in remaining 1/2 cup olive oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add dressing to orzo mixture and toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Garnish salad with pine nuts; serve.

ORZO SALAD WITH SPINACH AND FETA

Steps:

• Whisk the vinegar, garlic, and pepper together. Slowly add olive oil until it begins to thicken and set aside.
• In a mixing bowl toss pasta, olives, onions, celery, spinach, nuts, and feta cheese until fully combined.
• Pour vinaigrette over the salad and toss until all the ingredients are covered. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.
• Tip: toast pine nuts on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven or in a non stick sauté pan over medium heat until golden brown. Be careful not to burn.