Introduction
This orzo salad with feta and olives is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a summer BBQ or potluck. It is packed with flavor and can be easily customized to your liking. Plus, it is a great way to use up any leftover orzo you may have.
Ingredients
-1 cup orzo
-1/2 cup feta cheese
-1/4 cup pitted olives
-1/4 cup diced red onion
-1/4 cup diced red pepper
-1/4 cup diced cucumber
-1 tbsp. olive oil
-1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
-1 clove garlic, minced
-Salt and pepper to taste
Method
1. Cook orzo according to package instructions.
2. In a large bowl, mix together cooked orzo, feta cheese, olives, red onion, red pepper, and cucumber.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour over orzo salad and mix until everything is coated.
4. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Potential changes & improvements
-If you want a bit more of a crunch in your salad, you could add some chopped nuts or croutons.
-For a bit of sweetness, you could add in some diced fruit such as grapes or chopped apples.
-If you want a bit more of a Mediterranean flavor, you could add in some chopped sun-dried tomatoes or Kalamata olives.
What other food it works well with
This orzo salad goes well with just about anything. Try serving it alongside grilled chicken or fish, or as a side dish to a summer BBQ.
Common Mistakes
-Adding the dressing to the salad while the orzo is still hot. This will cause the dressing to become watered down and will not allow the flavors to properly meld together. Wait until the orzo has cooled completely before adding the dressing.
-Not diced the vegetables small enough. This will make the salad difficult to eat and not as enjoyable. Make sure to dice the vegetables into small pieces.
Nutritional Information
-1 serving = 1/2 cup
-Calories: 150
-Fat: 7 g
-Saturated Fat: 2 g
-Cholesterol: 10 mg
-Sodium: 190 mg
-Carbohydrates: 16 g
-Fiber: 2 g
-Sugar: 2 g
-Protein: 5 g
Allergens
-Gluten
-Dairy