Minted Orzo Salad With Grapefruit 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.

GRAPEFRUIT & FENNEL SALAD WITH MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cut a thin slice from the top and bottom of the grapefruit; stand grapefruit upright on a cutting board. With a knife, cut off peel and outer membrane from grapefruit. Cut along the membrane of each segment to remove fruit. Arrange fennel, grapefruit and onion on a serving platter., Place mint, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a small food processor; cover and process until mint is finely chopped. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Drizzle over salad.

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

WARM ORZO SALAD WITH MINT AND FETA

Steps:

• In large pot of boiling, salted water, cook orzo per package directions. When orzo is al dente, remove from heat and add frozen peas to cooking water. Let sit for 1 minute.
• Drain and transfer to a serving bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Serve warm.

GRAPEFRUIT-MINT SALAD

Steps:

• Using a sharp chef's knife, cut away the peel and white parts from 3 red grapefruits, then cut between the membranes to remove the segments. Squeeze the membranes over a bowl to extract the juice.
• Whisk 2 tablespoons clover honey and 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint into the juice. Arrange the grapefruit segments on a platter and drizzle with the dressing.

BASIL & MINT ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Pour the broth into a saucepan and bring 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 and transfer to a large wide bowl. Set aside to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, mix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper and oil in a blender; pour over pasta and mix well.
• Add tomatoes, onion, basil and mint; stir well. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve at room temperature.

MINTED ORZO SALAD WITH GRAPEFRUIT

Steps:

• Combine the grapefruit juice and grated lemon and orange rinds in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Whisk in the olive oil. Add the salt and pepper. Pour half of the liquid into a separate bowl and refrigerate.
• Add the oregano, jalapeno and shrimp to the remaining vinaigrette. Toss to combine and refrigerate for 2 hours. Grill the shrimp over hot coals until cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set aside to cool. Peel, devein and cut into bite-size pieces.
• Pour the broth into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat. Combine the olive oil and leek in a nonstick skillet. Cook over medium-low heat until the leek softens, about 5 minutes. Add the orzo and stir to combine. Ladle in 1/2 cup of the broth and stir. Increase the heat to medium and continue adding the broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly, until the orzo is tender, about 15 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold running water. Set aside.
• Put the reserved vinaigrette in a salad bowl, add the salad greens and toss. Add shrimp, orzo, coriander and parsley leaves and toss to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper.