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Fresh Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Feta

Mediterranean Orzo Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy Mediterranean-inspired orzo salad featuring fresh vegetables, herbs, and creamy feta cheese, perfect for summer sides or light meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (170g) orzo pasta (regular or gluten-free)
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup (75g) Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1 cup (150g) feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, loosely packed and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a medium pot of salted water (about 4 cups / 1 liter) to a boil. Add 1 cup (170g) orzo and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain and rinse the orzo under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Drain well and set aside.
  3. While the orzo cooks, dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, finely chop the red onion, pit and slice the Kalamata olives, and chop the parsley and mint. Soak the onion in cold water for 5 minutes if you prefer a milder flavor.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled orzo with the chopped vegetables, herbs, and olives.
  6. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
  7. Crumble the feta cheese over the salad and fold in carefully to keep chunks intact.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
  9. Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

Rinsing the orzo after cooking stops the cooking process and prevents mushiness. Be gentle when folding in feta to keep nice chunks. Soaking red onion in cold water mellows its sharpness. The salad tastes better after chilling for an hour or two. Add extra olive oil and lemon juice if the salad seems dry after resting.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mediterranean, orzo salad, feta, summer salad, quick recipe, easy side dish, fresh herbs, healthy salad

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/fresh-mediterranean-orzo-salad-with-feta-easy-5-minute-recipe-for-perfect-summer-sides/