Macrinas Orzo Salad With Cucumber Bell Pepper Basil And Feta Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the orzo pasta according package instructions (mine took about 8 minutes). Drain and cool briefly.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the grape tomatoes, green onions, bell peppers, parsley, dill, olives and capers (hold the feta for now). Add the orzo pasta.
• Make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, oregano and a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Whisk to combine.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined and the orzo pasta is well coated with the dressing.
• Top with pieces of creamy feta cheese. Cover and refrigerate for a bit before serving.

MACRINA'S ORZO SALAD WITH CUCUMBER, BELL PEPPER, BASIL AND FETA

Steps:

• SALAD.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Spread the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast on the center rack of the oven for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Let cool, then coarsely chop and set aside.
• Peel and core the cucumber and cut it into 1/2-inch cubes.
• Core the red and yellow peppers and cut them into 1/2-inch-square pieces.
• Set aside.
• Fill a large saucepan two-thirds full of water.
• Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil.
• Drop in the pasta and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, or until tender.
• Remove the pan from the heat and drain the pasta in a colander, then cool the pasta by running cold tap water over the colander for a few minutes.
• Shake the colander to remove excess water and transfer the cooled pasta to a medium bowl.
• Toss with the olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking together.
• Add the toasted walnuts, cucumbers, peppers, olives, scallions, basil, parsley and feta.
• Drizzle in the Lemon Vinaigrette and toss well.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• LEMON VINAIGRETTE yield: 1 1/4 cups.
• Combine all the ingredients except the olive oil in a medium bowl.
• Mix well with a whisk.
• Add the oil in a slow stream, whisking as you pour.
• Continue whisking until the dressing has emulsified, then cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

ORZO SALAD WITH FETA, OLIVES AND BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cook orzo in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Rinse with cold water; drain well. Transfer to large bowl. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped bell peppers, Kalamata olives, green onions and capers.
• Combine lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, mustard and cumin in small bowl. Gradually whisk in remaining 1/2 cup olive oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add dressing to orzo mixture and toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Garnish salad with pine nuts; serve.

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.