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Herb Orzo Salad

Refreshing Herb Orzo Salad – A Light and Easy Delight

This Herb Orzo Salad is a colorful and refreshing dish packed with fresh ingredients, perfect for picnics or lunches.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 cup orzo small, rice-shaped pasta
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes halved or quartered
  • 1 medium zucchini quartered and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 1 small onion paper-thin slices
  • ¼ cup fresh dill chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
For the Dressing
  • ½ cup olive oil base of the dressing
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar adds tanginess
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar balances acidity
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning aromatic blend of herbs
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • crushed red pepper optional for spice

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • jar or bowl for dressing
  • Large Pot
  • Whisk

Method
 

Make the Dressing
  1. In a medium jar or bowl, combine ¼ cup of red wine vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Slowly drizzle in ½ cup of olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing is well blended and emulsified. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Cook the Orzo
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 cup of orzo and cook according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and toss with 1-2 tablespoons of dressing to prevent sticking. Let cool.
Prepare the Vegetables
  1. Halve or quarter 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, quarter and chop 1 zucchini, and finely slice a small onion. Set aside.
Combine Ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, combine cooled orzo, prepared vegetables, ½ cup crumbled feta, ¼ cup chopped dill, and ¼ cup chopped parsley. Toss gently.
Add More Dressing and Chill
  1. Drizzle more dressing over the salad and mix gently. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Serve and Enjoy
  1. Before serving, toss again. Add more dressing if desired. Perfect as a light side dish or meal prep.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 8gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Perfect for picnics and meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

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