orzo and spinach salad
Want something a little different in a summer salad? Well, here it is. This salad is bursting with flavor and is so quick and easy. You serve it as a side salad or add some grilled chicken, shrimp, or even canned tuna and make a light meal. I also add a few grape tomatoes sometimes to change it up a bit. This is also a good salad to bring for a picnic or cookout since it holds up well in the heat over mayo-based salads.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
The dressing is what makes this orzo salad recipe special. If you taste it on its own, it seems strong and tangy. But once it's combined with the orzo and other ingredients, magic happens. From the spicy taste of cumin to the minty taste of thyme, you can taste each spice. This salad is cool and full of Mediterranean flavors. Feta cheese and roasted pine nuts are the perfect topping and add a wonderful nuttiness to the salad. This is a great salad to transport if you're heading to a cookout. And, it tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound orzo pasta, uncooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, extra virgin
- 1/2 cup olive oil, extra virgin
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1 pinch dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3 ounces fresh spinach leaves, washed and torn into bite-size pieces
- 1 - red bell peppper, chopped
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup scallions, minced
- 2 teaspoons capers, rinsed and drained
- 3 tablespoons Feta cheese, crumbled
- 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
How To Make orzo and spinach salad
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Step 1Cook orzo 8 to 10 minutes or al dente. Rinse briefly in cold water, drain and add to a large bowl. -
Step 2Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
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Step 3Prepare the dressing by combining the remaining oil through cumin, whisking until smooth.
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Step 4Toss with orzo.
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Step 5Add spinach, pepper, olives, scallions, and capers. At this point, salad can be refrigerated for several hours.
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Step 6At serving time, add crumbled Feta cheese and pine nuts.
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