Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

Submitted by Boomette

"Posted for ZWT - Greece. From My Baking Addiction blog"

 

• Ready In: 20mins
• Ingredients: 17
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• Dressing

• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 1 fresh garlic clove, finely chopped
• 3⁄4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3⁄4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dijon-style mustard
• 1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar

• Salad

• 1 1⁄2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
• 1⁄2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, seeded and chopped
• 1⁄4 red onion, chopped
• 1⁄2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1⁄2 green bell pepper
• 1⁄2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 5 -10 green olives, drained and halved

directions

1. Dressing: Place all the ingredients in a blender and pulse until well incorporated. No blender? That’s just fine, simply mix/shake the ingredients until thoroughly blended.
2. Salad: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
3. In large bowl combine pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell peppers, feta and olives. Toss with dressing and chill for at least one 1 hour in refrigerator.

Reviews

[Sharon123]

I love orzo salad and this one is good. Lots of flavor and enjoyed the mustard for a change. Thanks! Made for ZWT#9-2013 by a member of team Hot Stuff!

 

[Dreamer in Ontario]

I made this exactly as written except for using a yellow pepper in place of the red. Delicious! The whole family loved it. Made for ZWT9

 

[flower7]

I love orzo salads and this was no exception. I tweaked the amounts slightly and used more tomatoes, olives and feta, 1 whole red pepper (no green), more dijon in the dressing, and fresh basil (about 2 tsp) in the dressing. Also switched the red onion for green onion, just because it was on hand. Was great as part of our Father's Day meal (with smoked brisket, potato salad, grilled garlic scapes & grilled sugar snaps). Thanks for sharing!

 

[JackieOhNo!]

I made a batch of this on Sunday afternoon, and lived off of it for lunch most of the week! It was really delicious, but also refreshing. The Dijon in the dressing was a nice twist from the typical Greek dressing, and the green olives were also a pleasant change of pace. This is a great side dish or packable lunch and transports well. I think I might make some to bring to the beach this weekend. Thanks for sharing. Made for PRMR Tag Game.

 

[MsSally]

This was wonderful. I love orzo salads and love the whole feta thing with tomatoes and cukes. I will be making this again. Thanks for sharing.