Lemony Orzo Salad with Feta and Pine Nuts

angelcakes's Note:

I had this great lemon orzo salad from a local gourmet deli so I wanted to see if I could replicate it. After looking around at different recipes, this is what I came up with. It makes for a great pasta/rice dish for a potluck.

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 1 lb orzo pasta
• 2 bouillon cubes (optional)
• 3 lemons, juice of
• x lemon, zest of
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup chopped basil leaves
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. If pine nuts are not toasted, toast them on a cookie sheet in a 350F oven for 5-10 minutes or until golden brown.
2. Boil water in a 6-8 quart pot with optional flavor cubes.
3. Add orzo and cook until tender.
4. Drain orzo in colander and rinse with cold water.
5. Toss orzo in a large bowl with the olive oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
6. Then toss in the rest of the ingredients.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. You can add more lemon juice if you like it really lemony.
9. Chill salad for 3-4 hours before serving.

Reviews

[Oliver & Fischer's Mommy]

Simple and delicious! I add a few handfuls of chopped kalamata olives. Thanks!

[Jennifer Peacock]

I've been making this salad 2 summers in a row. It's fabulous. The lemon and basil taste like summer to us. Great to take to a picnic or neighborhood cookout. Delicious!

[Oolala]

I have similar recipe I was going to post but instead of basil they have 1 cup thinly sliced scallions (3 tbsp. lemon juice, no bouillon). Thanks!