Sweet Million Cherry Tomato Orzo Salad Recipes

ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, or until slightly past al dente. Drain the orzo and toss it with a little olive oil, so that it doesn't stick together. Spread onto a baking sheet to cool.
• Prepare the Greek Salad Dressing and add in the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, and sea salt.
• In a large bowl, toss together the cooked orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, feta, red onion, and olives. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, add half the herbs, season with freshly ground black pepper, and toss to coat. Garnish with the remaining herbs and serve.

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.

ORZO WITH CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon each minced rosemary and kosher salt in 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, 1 minute. Add 1 cup orzo; toast, stirring, 2 minutes. Add one 14-ounce can cherry tomatoes and 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook, stirring, until the orzo is tender, 7 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons pecorino.

ORZO SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS & CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook the orzo according to package directions. I strongly suggest adding a couple teaspoons of salt or so to the water for extra flavor.
• Throw the orzo into a large bowl with the tomatoes, onion, drained garbanzo beans, basil, and mint.
• In a small bowl, make the vinaigrette: Whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and olive oil.
• Pour the vinaigrette over the orzo, veggies, and herbs, and toss gently until well incorporated.
• Season to taste with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
• Great when served at room temperature, but also refreshing served chilled.

SWEET AND TANGY ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
• For the salad: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until soft and golden brown, about 12 minutes. Add the onions to the dressing and stir to coat.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain it well and, while it is still warm, add to the bowl of dressed onions. Stir in the fennel and dried cranberries and allow to cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Add the arugula and mozzarella and toss to combine. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Cook's Note: If serving the next day, a drizzle of olive oil will help to bring this salad back to life.

ORZO SALAD WITH CORN, ARUGULA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Add the olive oil and onion to a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook until the onion is translucent and soft, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the onion cool.
• Cook the orzo according to the package directions.
• Grill or boil the corn until cooked and tender, about 5 minutes. Cut the kernels from the cobs.
• Mix together the onions, orzo, cherry tomatoes and corn in a large bowl. Gently fold in the arugula. Drizzle with lemon oil and sprinkle the Parmesan on top.

ORZO WITH FETA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Fill a 4-quart pasta pot three fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil for orzo.
• In a small heavy skillet heat 1/2 tablespoon oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and sauté pine nuts with salt to taste, stirring frequently, until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer nuts to paper towels to drain and cool.
• Mince garlic and chop parsley. Quarter tomatoes and coarsely crumble feta. In a large bowl whisk together garlic, parsley, vinegar, remaining tablespoon oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Add tomatoes and feta and gently toss to combine.
• Cook orzo in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. In a large sieve drain orzo and rinse slightly until just warm. Drain orzo well and add to tomato mixture, tossing until just combined.
• Serve orzo topped with nuts.