Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, packing a picnic, or looking for a refreshing side dish, orzo pasta salad is a perfect choice. This classic Greek Salad offers delicious flavours in every bite.
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The traditional Greek salad, also known as “Horiatiki,” is a culinary masterpiece that celebrates the vibrant flavours of Mediterranean cuisine. With its simple yet delicious combination of fresh vegetables, soft feta cheese, and aromatic herbs, it’s no wonder this iconic dish has stood the test of time.
The Beauty of Orzo Pasta Salad
Orzo pasta, often called “rice-shaped pasta,” hails from Italy, where it’s a staple in many dishes like soups, stews, or one-pot casseroles.
In the World of salads, orzo pasta salad stands out as a delicious alternative. With its small, rice-shaped appearance, orzo pasta provides a unique texture and versatility to the classic Greek salad.
Imagine a colourful medley of cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onions mixed with savoury feta cheese and briny olives, all tossed with cooked orzo pasta. This Greek salad is sure to transport you to the sunny shores of Greece with every bite.
Ingredients Required
The beauty of the Greek salad lies in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients.
- Pasta: Use Orzo or any other tiny-shaped pasta for this salad recipe.
- Tomatoes: Choose ripe, juicy cherry tomatoes for the best flavour. Roma or vine-ripened tomatoes are ideal, but any flavorful variety will work.
- Cucumbers: English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers are commonly used, as they have thin skins and fewer seeds.
- Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a hint of sharpness to the salad.
- Peppers: Capsicum or Red/Yellow Bell Pepper gives crunch to the salad.
- Olives: Traditionally, Kalamata olives are added to a Greek salad. They are a hallmark of Greek cuisine. If not available, add black pitted olives.
- Feta Cheese: Soft and creamy, feta cheese is a quintessential ingredient in Greek salad.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs such as oregano, parsley, or mint add a fragrant, herbaceous note to the salad. Use whichever herbs you have on hand or prefer.
Greek Salad Dressing
A well-balanced dressing can take an orzo pasta salad from ordinary to extraordinary. The key is to balance the flavours and enhance the overall dish.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: High-quality extra virgin olive oil ties the salad together and enhances its flavours.
- Wine Vinegar: A splash of red wine vinegar adds acidity to the salad dressing.
- Garlic
- Lime Juice
- Dried Oregano
- Salt and Pepper
Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and dried oregano to create a zesty dressing. Use this classic vinaigrette to flavour a variety of salad recipes from my collection.
How To Make
Step 1) Start by cooking the orzo pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Transfer to a colander, drain the water, rinse with cold water, and allow the pasta to cool completely.
Step 2) Toss the cooked orzo with chopped ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Step 3) In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, garlic, and pepper to create the salad dressing.
Step 4) Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat evenly.
Step 5) Crumble the feta cheese over the top of the salad. Garnish with fresh parsley or mint.
Step 6) Allow the flavours to meld together in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving, and voila! You have a refreshing orzo pasta salad ready to enjoy.
Serving Suggestion
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, attending a potluck, or simply enjoying a light summer lunch, orzo pasta salad is a versatile dish that suits any occasion.
Its vibrant colours and fresh flavours make it a crowd-pleaser. Serve it as a refreshing side dish or a satisfying main course, — either way, you won’t be disappointed!
More Salad Recipes
- Avocado Salad
- Fattoush Salad
- Chickpea Salad
- Pineapple Salad
- Herb Potato Salad
- Green Papaya Salad
- Chinese Cucumber Salad
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Greek Salad Recipe
- Saucepan
- Salad Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 150 gram orzo pasta
- 1 large size English cucumber, diced
- 1 medium size red onion, sliced
- 1 small size green bell pepper, diced
- 10 cherry tomato, cut into halves
- ⅓ Cup olives, pitted and cut into halves
- ¼ Cup feta cheese cut into cubes
- 2 sprigs fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 2 sprigs parsley, finely chopped
Ingredients For Salad Dressing
- 4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, crushed
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add salt and orzo, then cook per packet directions (usually 10 – 12 minutes). Transfer to a colander, drain the water, rinse with cold water, toss with a teaspoon of olive oil, and allow the pasta to cool completely.
- Once cooled, toss the cooked orzo with chopped ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, garlic, and pepper to create the salad dressing. Taste and if required, add more seasoning.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat evenly. Save some dressing to drizzle right before serving.
- Crumble the feta cheese over the top of the salad. Garnish with fresh parsley or mint. Toss one last time.
- Allow the flavours to meld together in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. Drizzle the remaining dressing and serve the Greek Orzo Pasta Salad.
Recipe Notes:
– Tomato: sub with 2 large tomatoes, scoop out the watery pulp and then dice the flesh.
– Green Capsicum can be replaced with red or yellow ones. Olives – Sub with Greek olives, black or green pitted olives. Leftovers: Keeps well for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.
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