orzo and spinach salad

Name: Orzo and Spinach Salad
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup(s) orzo pasta, uncooked; 1/2 cup(s) pine nuts, roasted; 1/3 cup(s) olive oil; 1/3 cup(s) white balsamic vinegar; 5-8 ounce(s) fresh pre-rinsed or washed and dried spinach leaves, chopped; 1/2 medium sweet onion or shallot, finely chopped; 1/2 teaspoon(s) dried basil; kosher or smoked salt, to taste; 1/4 teaspoon(s) white pepper (or black); 1-2 pinch(es) cayenne pepper or cajun seasoning, optional; 4 ounce(s) feta cheese, crumbled

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Carolyn Haas

Whitewater, WI

Updated on May 6, 2024

I was at a salad luncheon and someone made something similar to this. I thought it was pretty tasty so I came up with this version.

Rate

prep time 25 Min

cook time 1 Hr

method Stove Top

yield 8 serving(s)

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked
1/2 cup pine nuts, roasted
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar
5-8 ounces fresh pre-rinsed or washed and dried spinach leaves, chopped
1/2 medium sweet onion or shallot, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
kosher or smoked salt, to taste
1/4 teaspoon white pepper (or black)
1-2 pinch cayenne pepper or cajun seasoning, optional
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

How To Make orzo and spinach salad

Step 1

Cook orzo according to package directions. Rinse with cold water, drain and put into large bowl.

Step 2

While pasta cooks, roast the pine nuts in a dry skillet until they start to brown. Watch so they don't burn! Remove from heat and reserve.
Step 3

Add olive oil and vinegar to pasta in the big bowl, stir to combine so pasta doesn't stick.
Step 4

Remove large spinach stems, if desired. Add spinach and onion to the bowl with the pasta.
Step 5

Season with basil, salt and pepper. Stir in pine nuts and feta. Taste. Add a pinch of your favorite spicy pepper to give it a kick, if desired.
Step 6

Chill for an hour or more before serving. Can be made the day before.
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