Orzo Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Red Pepper and Olives

Summer was made for salads like this Orzo Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Red Pepper and Olives. Mediterranean salads such as this simple vegetarian orzo salad packed with light and fresh summery flavors. Sweet heirloom cherry tomatoes, garden fresh herbs, lemony undertones, French Niçoise olives marinated in flavorful oil with rosemary leaves, sweet pointed red pepper and some subtle heat and extra flavor from fresh red chili. This orzo salad is the perfect thing for a sunny afternoon spent in the shade enjoying a late afternoon lunch and glass of chilled rosé. Who doesn’t love doing exactly this during a summer vacation? It also makes for a fantastic side for a BBQ or a summer picnic on any given weekend.

One of the great things about summer is grilling outside. I’m all for BBQs but what I really love about them are the grilled vegetables, seafood and the wide variety of side salads. I think for many of us when we think of grilling we think steak and in the case of kids, perhaps sausages, hotdogs and burgers. At the start of this year’s summer holiday in France, we met up with friends at their vacation home for a BBQ, one with absolutely everything. Everything I love, plus a whole lot more.

As someone who doesn’t eat a lot of meat, I don’t actually need meat for a BBQ to be a BBQ. And on this evening there was a lot of it. A lot of everything. Lamb, beef, prawns, sea bream, a large assortment of sausages and everything that could possibly accompany them as a side. Perhaps it was because of this very evening I was reminded of exactly why I spent so many years following a vegetarian lifestyle. After indulging in a little too much of everything, including the flowing glasses of wine from a well stocked wine cellar, I suffered unimaginably the next day. I am sure I was born to be a vegetarian. More often than not meat doesn’t sit well with me.

I think this orzo salad is perfect as is, but since it’s so versatile, I can also imagine adding fresh marinated artichokes and capers for a different spin on this version. If you love orzo salads, you might also like these:

• Smoked Trout Orzo Salad with Artichokes & Fennel
• Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad with Feta
• Orzo Salad with Zucchini and Chickpeas

5 from 1 vote

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Orzo Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Red Pepper and Olives

Orzo, cherry tomatoes, red pepper, olives and parsley are combined to make a fantastic tasting and light pasta dish. It’s an easy and quick weeknight dinner recipe for summer and early fall! For a whole grain version go ahead and substitute with another small pasta shape.

Course Pasta

Category Italian

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 426 kcal

Autor Elle

Ingredients

For the orzo:

• 2 cups dried orzo (rice-shaped pasta) (400 g)
• 250 g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 pointed red pepper, halved lengthwise and sliced thinly
• 1 fresh red chili, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup oil-cured black olives, pitted (ca. 85 g) (I used Niçoise olives)
• 1 small bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

For the dressing:

• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• finely grated zest 1/2 organic lemon
• freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon

To garnish:

• Handful arugula leaves or chopped radicchio

Method

1. Cook the orzo in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite (al dente). Drain. Rinse with cold water; drain well. Transfer to large bowl.
2. In a small bowl combine the oil, basil, garlic, zest and lemon juice.
3. Add the dressing to the orzo salad and toss to combine. Add the remaining ingredients, season with salt and pepper, and garnish with arugula leaves or chopped radicchio. Serve and enjoy!

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