Basil Zucchini Orzo Salad Recipes

ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Pour the broth into a heavy large saucepan. Cover the pan and bring the broth to a boil over high heat. Stir in the orzo. Cover partially and cook until the orzo is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes. Drain the orzo through a strainer. Transfer the orzo to a large wide bowl and toss until the orzo cools slightly. Set aside to cool completely.
• Toss the orzo with the beans, tomatoes, onion, basil, mint, and enough vinaigrette to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve at room temperature.
• Mix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desired.
• Yield: 1 3/4 cups

LEMON ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta as you normally would in a pot of salted water, until it's al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water (you probably won't need it, but reserve it just in case), then drain the orzo and set aside.
• While the pasta is cooking, combine lemon juice, olive oil, lemon zest, 1/2 cup water (not the salted water), salt, and pepper in a bowl and set aside. Then, slice the tomatoes, zucchini and basil and set aside.
• Transfer the cooked orzo to the bowl with the lemon juice and let it set for 10 minutes. In that time, the pasta will soak up the lemon juice, olive oil and water, which is good because we don't want it to be dry. If for some reason it is, pour in the reserved pasta water.
• Then, add in the tomatoes, zucchini, basil, and feta cheese and stir to combine. Enjoy as-is, or add extra feta and/or black pepper on top!

CORN AND ZUCCHINI ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Place zucchini in a colander and toss with salt. Place colander in sink and let sit 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking; transfer to a large bowl.
• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 4 minutes. Add to pasta along with zucchini, 3 tablespoons oil, onion, jalapeno, and lemon zest and juice; season with salt and pepper. Stir in basil and feta. Transfer 4 cups salad to an airtight container; refrigerate for up to 2 days and use to make the Corn, Zucchini, and Pasta Frittata.

ORZO SALAD WITH LENTILS AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lentils and cook for 9 minutes, then add the orzo and cook until the lentils and orzo are cooked through but not mushy, another 10 to 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together the oil, lemon juice and pepperoncini. Season with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. If using small or medium zucchini, halve them lengthwise, then slice crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons. (If using large zucchini, quarter them lengthwise first, then slice crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick triangles.) Add to the dressing and stir to combine.
• Drain the lentils and orzo very well, then add to the zucchini, along with the pistachios and scallions. Stir to combine, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the herbs just before serving. Eat warm or at room temperature. (Salad keeps, refrigerated, for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature and adjust seasonings before eating.)

ORZO SALAD WITH PEPPERS AND FETA

Steps:

• Cook orzo in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta, pressing out excess liquid. Spread out on a baking sheet to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onion, bell peppers and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato and cook, stirring occasionally, until broken down and juices release, about 8 minutes.
• Add the reserved pasta water and stir to scrape up any browned bits at the bottom of the skillet. Transfer vegetable mixture to a large bowl to cool slightly to lukewarm, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to speed up the cooling process. Discard thyme sprig.
• Add cooled orzo, lemon juice, basil and cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well, then transfer to a large serving bowl or platter. Garnish with more basil.

ZUCCHINI AND ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Place zucchini in colander and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon salt, toss and let drain for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice. Squeeze dry and transfer to a large bowl, fluffing to seperate strands of zucchini.
• In a food processor mix together the basil and olive oil for 1 minute and then drop garlic through the feed tube and blend until smooth. Add to zucchini.
• In a saucepan bring chicken broth to a boil. Stir in 1 tablespoon salt and orzo and return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until orzo is tender, stirring occasionally (10 minutes). Drain. Add to zucchini, toss. Cool to room temperature.
• Before serving add lemon juice and pepper. Garnish with basil sprigs and olives, toss.