Orzo Tomato Salad Recipes

ORZO AND TOMATO SALAD WITH FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain, and rinse with cold water.
• When orzo is cool, transfer to a medium bowl and mix in olives, feta cheese, parsley, dill, and tomato. In a small bowl, whisk together oil and lemon juice. Pour over pasta, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill before serving.

TOMATO AND BLACK OLIVE ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the tomatoes on a sheet tray and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until the tomatoes are tender and just bursting slightly but not falling apart, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente (following package instructions). While the pasta is cooking, make a vinaigrette by pouring the juice from the bottom of the pan the tomatoes cooked in into a mixing bowl. Add the feta, vinegar, mustard, garlic, sliced basil, oregano, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Slowly pour in 3 tablespoons of the olive oil while whisking to lightly emulsify. Drain the cooked pasta and toss with the vinaigrette. Add the grape tomatoes, olives, chickpeas, roasted red pepper, pepperoncini peppers, onion and chopped basil and toss to combine.
• This is a great salad to serve with Mediterranean Sardines with Lemon and Garlic.
• For the spicy tartar: Combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, pickles, red pepper, onion, capers, lemon juice, tarragon, chives, hot sauce and cayenne in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well, then cover and refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes to allow flavors to come together.
• For the sardines: Preheat a grill to high. Rinse the sardines in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season the cavity of each sardine with salt and pepper, then place a sprig of thyme and oregano inside each along with a few slices of lemon and garlic. Season outside with salt and pepper. Carefully tie the sardines with butchers twine to help keep them closed during grilling. Wipe down the grill grates with a towel dipped in oil to clean and create a non-stick surface. Carefully place sardines across grates and grill for 3 to 4 minutes, until skin blisters and chars around the edges. Using a spatula, carefully turn the sardines and grill for a further 2 to 3 minutes to cook through. When done, remove to a platter and keep warm until ready to serve. Serve the sardines slathered with the Spicy Tartar.

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

ORZO TOMATO ARTICHOKE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.
• Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and basil together in a small bowl for the dressing.
• Combine cooked orzo, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, olives, and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Stir dressing into the orzo mixture until all ingredients are well coated. Can be served warm or chilled.

ORZO AND TOMATO SALAD IN LEMON CUPS

Steps:

• For the salad: In salted, boiling water, cook the orzo until al dente. Strain and cool. Whisk together the garlic, lemon juice, and extra-virgin olive oil. In a large bowl, toss the orzo together with the tomatoes, parsley, and olive oil mixture. Season, to taste, with salt and fresh ground pepper.
• For the lemon cups: Cut a small piece off both tips of the lemon. Make sure the cut does not expose any flesh, only pith. Cut the lemon evenly in half across the diameter. Use a spoon to remove the flesh of the lemon and scrape the skin clean, being careful not to cut or damage the skin.
• To assemble: Fill each lemon cup with the orzo salad and arrange on a platter for service.

TOMATO AND BASIL ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• In a 3- to 4-quart pan over high heat, bring 1 1/2 to 2 quarts water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until barely tender to bite, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, rinse and core tomatoes; chop and place in a large bowl. Add basil, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar; mix gently.
• Drain pasta well and add to tomato mixture. Mix, adding parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste.

ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a pot of generously salted water to a rapid boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package directions, adding the corn in the last minute of cooking, until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Pour the lime juice over the avocado and coat evenly (this will minimize discoloration). Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, sugar, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Drizzle over the orzo and add the avocado with lime juice, tomatoes, and parsley. Mix until combined and serve warm or at room temperature.

ORZO SALAD WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook pasta in boiling water until just tender, about 8 minutes.
• Drain.
• Place garlic, salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar into a food processor.
• Process well.
• Add oil, process briefly until well blended.
• Pour over orzo while pasta is still warm.
• Add tomatoes to pasta along with olives and chopped parsley.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Toss again and adjust seasonings, if necessary.
• Serve immediately, or refrigerate for later use (can be made earlier in the day).
• Best served at room temperature.

ORZO WITH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring water with salt to a boil in a saucepan. Add orzo and cook, stirring, for about 10 minutes or until tender. Do not overcook. Drain.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a saucepan and add garlic. Cook briefly, stirring; do not brown. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 3 minutes. Add orzo, basil and cheese. Blend well and serve.

ORZO / TOMATO SALAD WITH FETA AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package for al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Once orzo has cooled, in serving bowl mix orzo, olives, feta, parsley, dill, and tomato.
• In small bowl, whisk together oil and lemon juice. Mix into salad.
• Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate and chill before serving.
• If you use dried dill, be sure to use plenty.
• Serves: 6 as a side dish.
• Also great as a main dish for lunch.