Friday, August 24, 2012

Orzo Salad





From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This lovely salad tastes as good as it looks. I found the recipe for it on Gourmet Live while searching for inspiration and an interesting new summer side. I wanted to share it with you before apples start dropping from trees. The recipe is simple and straightforward and the salad is a perfect accompaniment to serve with almost anything that comes off the grill. I especially like to serve it with lamb, but I've also found the salad is substantial enough to serve as a standalone lunch or a light supper. Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta that cooks very quickly. Orzo is also the Italian word for barley and that sometimes causes confusion. While barley could be substituted here, cooking times would vary and the salad would have a completely different taste. I prefer the salad made with pasta. It takes about 15 minutes to put this together, but you'll have to wait for the orzo to come to room temperature before it can be served. Unfortunately, the salad does not keep well. The appearance of arugula and radicchio does not improve with age, so if looks are important to you, make no more of this than can be consumed in one sitting. I know those of you who try this salad will love it. It has texture and balanced flavors, and when freshly made it, it is a feast for the eyes. Here's the recipe.

Orzo Salad...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Gina Marie Miraglia Eriquez and Gourmet.live

Ingredients:
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/2 pound orzo
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, finely minced
3/4 cup (6-oz.) jar marinated roasted bell peppers, drained and chopped
1/4 pound mozzarella, preferably fresh, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cups chopped baby arugula leaves (2-1/2 ounces)
1 cup chopped radicchio (2 1/2 ounces)

Directions:
1) Position a rack in middle of oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2) Roast pine nuts in a rimmed sheet pan until golden, about 8 minutes.
3) Cook orzo in a 6 to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until tender, then drain well in a colander.
4) Meanwhile, whisk together lemon juice, oil, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.
5) Add hot orzo to dressing and toss. Let orzo come to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
6) Add pine nuts, peppers, mozzarella, arugula, and radicchio and toss well. Season salad with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice, if desired. Yield: 6 servings.







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22 comments :

Christina's Cucina said...

My daughter has been wanting an orzo salad as she tasted one a while ago at a friends and loved it. Yours sounds great! :) CC

Katarina said...

Yes, it really looks good and the ingredients are delicious!

KathyB. said...

I am definitely going to make this!

Chiara said...

This looks awesome!I love orzo salads...Have a nice weekend, blessings....

Kim said...

This is the kind of salad I always prefer for my lunch. It's packed with flavors and I like it!

Angie's Recipes said...

mm...pine nuts, mozzarella...this is definitely my type of salad!

Unknown said...

Ooohh.. I love orzo! I don't get to cook it too often as my picky eater does not like it - but this will definitely be the salad I make next. Lovely and delicious!

Tricia Buice said...

Well Mary that sounds like a pretty terrific combination. The peppery arugula, the delicious orzo, creamy mozzarella - oh yeah - a perfect summer side! Hope you have a great weekend.

Rumana Rawat said...

Hello,
what a lovely and healthy salad:)

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

I just love orzo. I think it's wonderful in a salad and I haven't made one in a long time. You'll be my inspiration today, Mary, instead of Gourmet Live. Thanks.

Lois said...

I always get SO HUNGRY when I read your blog. Now I am thinking about lunch...

SImple and Serene Living said...

I bet this tastes as good as it looks, Mary.

StephenC said...

Pasta of all sorts is a miracle - combine it with nearly anything and you have a meal. Eat it hot, warm or room temp. Orzo is something I try to have in my pantry at all times.

Ellen B Cookery said...

What a lovely risotto that's full of flavour!

nanny said...

I made your Retro Meat Loaf last night! It was so good. I knew it would be but I just loved the flavor. I made it in the loaf shape....delicious....I will post about it soon.

teresa said...

i love fresh pasta salads like this! it looks wonderful!

Lucia from Madison said...

Just realized I have not made an orzo salad this summer. Thank you for the inspiration. Yours looks so good I may "copy" it!

Unknown said...

Put the words caramel and apple together and you got me for sure. Love this bread Mary!

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

Hi Mary thanks for the visit and well wishes... this is a wonderful salad, I love the peppers and mozzarella along with the orzo great combination of flavors.. I always add olives and tomatoes too the pine nuts are perfect!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Christina, I am unable to comment on your blog, but I wanted to welcome you to my site. I think your daughter will love this salad.It has color and great taste and that combination is hard to beat. I hope you have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary

Kathy said...

I love orzo and have seen it used in salads before…Your salad looks delicious! I’m going to give it a try tonight!!

Alicia said...

This is the 2nd Orzo salad I have seen today! My friend Paula over at her blog Sweet Pea also posted one. I love have fresh and clean both yours and hers looked! Now this I can enjoy in the heat of California! Very refreshing!

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