spring orzo salad
Freshen up your meals with our vibrant spring orzo salad! 🌼🥗 Packed with seasonal veggies and zesty flavors, it's a perfect dish for any occasion.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot For boiling the orzo.
- 1 Skillet For sautéing the asparagus.
- 1 Mixing Bowl For combining all ingredients.
- 1 Whisk For preparing the dressing.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 cup orzo pasta Whole grain orzo preferred.
Vegetables
- 1 cup fresh asparagus Chopped.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes Halved.
Dressing
- 1 lemon lemon juice Freshly squeezed.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil Extra virgin preferred.
- ½ cup feta cheese Crumbled.
Herbs and Seasoning
- to taste salt and pepper Adjust to taste.
- to taste fresh herbs Basil or parsley recommended.
Instructions
Cooking Orzo
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add 1 cup of orzo pasta. Cook it according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Afterward, drain the orzo and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Sautéing Asparagus
- While the orzo cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup of chopped fresh asparagus and sauté for about 3-5 minutes, or until tender yet crisp.
Preparing Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together the juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Combining Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, sautéed asparagus, halved cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese. Pour the dressing over the mixture and gently toss everything together.
Adding Fresh Herbs
- Add a handful of chopped fresh herbs such as basil or parsley and stir them in gently.
Chilling and Serving
- Let your salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. When ready to serve, give it a quick toss and enjoy!
Video
Notes
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 cup (150g) |
| Calories | 250-300 |
| Total Fat | 10-12g |
| Saturated Fat | 3-4g |
| Cholesterol | 15-20mg |
| Sodium | 200-250mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 30-35g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4-5g |
| Total Sugars | 4-5g |
| Protein | 8-10g |
| Vitamin A | 20-25% |
| Vitamin C | 30-35% |
| Calcium | 10-15% |
| Iron | 15-20% |