Greek Orzo Pasta Salad With Spinach

Submitted by Cookin in NJ

"Another light summer orzo salad, with fresh spinach and toasted pignoli nuts. A wonderful side dish for those summer BBQ's!!"

 

• Ready In: 22mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• water, to cook orzo pasta
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1⁄2 cup roasted red pepper, chopped
• 2 -3 ounces feta cheese
• 10 kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
• 1 dash kalamata brine (if you have it) (optional)
• 1⁄2 small red onion, finely sliced to create slivers
• 2 cups fresh spinach, loosely chopped
• 1⁄4 cup toasted pignoli nut
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons light caesar salad dressing (such as Ken's)
• 1 chopped garlic clove
• salt and pepper

directions

1. Add chicken bouillon to pasta water and bring to a boil.
2. Add orzo and cook for 7 minutes.
3. Strain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside.
4. In a medium/large bowl add the balance of the ingredients and stir well.
5. Add the strained orzo and stir again.
6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and serve. This helps the flavors meld together.
7. Enjoy!

Reviews

[ngneff]

Delicious! I had it at my daughter-in-laws and everyone thought it was so good so I tried it and took it to a shower today. Alot of the gals wanted the recipe. It is a delightful blend of different flavors that is just plain refreshing!! The only thing I did differently was used regular black olives. I would also have to say it serves at least 12....NOT 4 to 6. It will be in my recipe file!!

 

[fabesbabe6755]

Great alternative to potato salad. I forgot to buy roasted red peppers and I used a small can of sliced black olives which I already had in my cabinet instead of buying the kalamata olives. Also, since the 2 cups of uncooked orzo made 5 cups cooked I used half a bottle of Ken's light ceasar and I used the whole 4 oz container of crumbled feta. I served it with a grilled pork loin. It was yummy! This will definately be one of my regulars.