Description
Barefoot Contessa’s orzo salad with cucumber brings Mediterranean charm to summer dining. Fresh ingredients and zesty dressing create a light, refreshing dish that you will savor alongside grilled meats or as a standalone meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ lb (340 g) orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
- ¾ lb (340 g) feta cheese, large-diced
- 1 cup (150 g) cucumber, medium-diced, unpeeled and seeded
- 1 cup (240 ml) scallions, minced, white and green parts
- 1 cup (240 ml) dill, chopped, fresh
- 1 cup (240 ml) parsley, chopped, fresh flat-leaf
- ½ cup (80 g) red onion, small-diced
- ½ cup (120 ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed (3 lemons)
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper, freshly ground
- Olive oil, good quality
Instructions
- Orzo Preparation: Bring water to a vigorous boil in a medium saucepan, adding salt and olive oil to enhance flavor and prevent pasta adhesion. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook orzo until achieving a perfect al dente consistency, stirring periodically to prevent clustering.
- Vegetable Preparation: Meticulously cleanse cucumber, removing seeds and dicing into uniform cubes. Thinly slice red onion and finely chop scallions, dill, and parsley to create a harmonious flavor profile.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk together lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl, crafting a zesty and vibrant vinaigrette that will elevate the salad’s overall taste.
- Salad Assembly: Transfer cooled orzo to a large mixing bowl, gently incorporating the prepared vegetables, fresh herbs, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle the crafted dressing over the mixture, carefully folding to ensure even distribution and delicate ingredient integration.
- Flavor Development: Allow the salad to rest at room temperature for 45-60 minutes, permitting the ingredients to harmonize and develop a robust, interconnected flavor profile before serving.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Clumping: Stir orzo occasionally and add olive oil to water to ensure separate, perfectly cooked pasta grains.
- Seed Cucumber Technique: Remove cucumber seeds to prevent excess moisture and maintain a crisp, fresh salad texture.
- Flavor Melding Magic: Allow salad to rest at room temperature for 45-60 minutes, letting ingredients blend and develop deeper, more complex tastes.
- Dressing Distribution Tip: Gently toss dressing with orzo while slightly warm to help pasta absorb flavors more effectively and evenly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg