MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD
This Mediterranean orzo salad is a delicious side dish or a lunch recipe bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
Servings: 3
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- ½ cup cooked chick peas
- ½ cup bell pepper ( any color is ok)
- 2 tbsp red onion, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomato, halved
- ½ cup marinated artichoke hearts ( optional)
- ¼ cup or more Kalamata olives, halved
- ¼ cup coriander leaves or parsley
For the dressing-
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of half lemon
- 1 jalapeño, finely chopped ( remove the seeds)
- ½ tsp crushed black pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Cooking the orzo pasta -
- In a large sauce pan, bring water to boil. Add salt and the orzo pasta. Stir in between and cook for about 9-10 minutes. Check to see if the pasta is done.
- Drain the orzo in a colander and set a side to cool a bit.
Making the lemon jalapeño dressing-
- Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, jalapeño, garlic, black pepper and salt in a jar. Which for few seconds and set a side.
Putting the salad together -
- In a large bowl, add the orzo, chick peas, bell pepper, onion, cherry tomato, artichoke hearts, olives, coriander leaves and feta cheeses. Pour about ⅔rd if the dressing and gently mix.
- Check for seasoning and add more of the dressing if required.
- Set a side for few minutes before serving. The flavors get incorporated in the salad and tastes better.
- Serve the salad topped with some feta cheese.
- For a vegetarian like me, this is a perfect lunch/dinner. You can also serve this Mediterranean orzo salad with a choice of your protein.