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–+ servings
Incredible Mediterranean Orzo Salad – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Incredible Mediterranean Orzo Salad

A hearty, satisfying Mediterranean orzo salad featuring tender pasta, briny Kalamata olives, and a simple homemade vinaigrette. Perfect for meal prep, picnics, or a light and refreshing dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 465

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1½ cups / 285g (10.1 oz) orzo pasta
  • 1 16-ounce / 454g (16 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 6-ounce / 170g (6 oz) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained
  • ½ cup (75 g / 2.65 oz) oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, cut into strips
  • ½ cup (75 g / 2.65 oz) pitted Kalamata olives
  • ½ cup (20 g / 0.71 oz) chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • ¼ cup (25 g / 0.88 oz) minced scallions
  • ¼ cup (35 g / 1.23 oz) toasted pine nuts
  • Salad greens, for serving
  • For the Vinaigrette
  • 1 large clove garlic
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 1 fl oz) white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g / 0.18 oz) Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon (1 g / 0.04 oz) dried marjoram
  • ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon (3 g / 0.11 oz) salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • For an even better flavor, let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the orzo to absorb the delicious dressing.
  • No food processor? No problem. Finely mince the garlic by hand, then combine all dressing in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously until emulsified.
  • To easily toast pine nuts, place them in a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until they are golden brown and fragrant. Watch them closely as they can burn quickly!
  • Feel free to customize this salad with other Mediterranean-inspired like crumbled feta cheese, chopped cucumber, or diced red bell pepper for extra crunch and flavor.

Method
 

  1. Cook the orzo in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions, typically about 5-7 minutes, until al dente.
  2. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
  3. While the orzo cooks, prepare the dressing.
  4. In a food processor, mince the garlic clove.
  5. Add the white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried marjoram, olive oil, salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Process until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
  6. In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked and cooled orzo, chickpeas, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, fresh parsley, and scallions.
  7. Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad.
  8. Toss gently until all the are evenly coated.
  9. To serve, arrange a bed of fresh salad greens on individual plates or in a shallow bowl. Spoon the orzo salad over the greens and sprinkle generously with the toasted pine nuts.

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 14gFat: 21g

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