Description
Mediterranean orzo salad blends fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and tangy feta into a light summer dish. Colorful ingredients dance together, inviting you to savor Mediterranean flavors with each refreshing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) orzo, uncooked
- 1 lb (454 g) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 ears corn, shucked and cleaned
- 1 pint (475 ml) grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tbsp parsley, minced
- 1 tbsp basil, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil (plus more for searing the corn)
- Juice from 1 large lemon
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Vinaigrette Crafting: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, shallot, basil, parsley, and garlic in a small bowl. Refrigerate to allow flavors to meld while preparing other components.
- Orzo and Vegetable Preparation: Simmer orzo with water and salt in a large skillet. Incorporate asparagus and whole corn, covering and cooking for 8 minutes. Drain excess liquid using a fine-mesh strainer, ensuring vegetables are tender yet crisp.
- Corn Caramelization: Heat skillet to high temperature. Brush corn with olive oil, seasoning with salt and pepper. Sear for 2 minutes per side, creating beautiful char marks. Cool briefly, then slice kernels from the cob.
- Salad Assembly: Combine cooked orzo, roasted asparagus, charred corn, and tomatoes in a mixing bowl. Pour prepared vinaigrette over the mixture, gently tossing to ensure even coating. Season with additional salt and pepper to enhance flavor complexity.
- Serving and Storage: Enjoy the salad warm immediately or chilled after refrigeration. For optimal taste and texture, store in an airtight container for up to three days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.
Notes
- Vinaigrette Prep Tip: Whisk ingredients thoroughly and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
- Corn Charring Technique: Use a cast-iron skillet for best caramelization and ensure corn is completely dry before searing to achieve perfect golden-brown marks.
- Orzo Cooking Hack: Rinse orzo under cold water after draining to stop cooking process and prevent clumping, ensuring a perfect al dente texture.
- Storage Secret: Keep salad fresh by storing separately from vinaigrette and mixing just before serving to maintain crisp vegetable texture and vibrant flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg