How to Make a Great Orzo Salad

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How to Make a Great Orzo Salad

Want to know the secret behind making a great Orzo Salad? I bet you do. The perfect summer party food and really easy to prepare. It also fits in perfect with the Mediterranean Diet. The next time you invited over the neighbors or to a family cook out, make it happen with Gracie’s Secret to a great Orzo Salad.

Ingredients:

4 cups chicken broth (Gracie’s secret step)
1 pound orzo
1 can (15 ounce) garbanzo beans or kidney beans
1 1/2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes cut in half
3/4 cup chopped red onion
3/4 cup fresh mint leaves chopped (can substitute fresh basil)Vinaigrette
salt and pepper to taste
juice of two lemons

Directions:

Pour the chicken broth in a large pan and bring the broth to a boil. Stir in the orzo. Orzo is a small pasta the shape of a grain of rice. Gracie used it often in soup and of course in this salad. Partially cover the pot and cook the orzo until firm or slightly al dente. Remember to keep stirring so the orzo doesn’t stick. Drain and transfer to a large bowl, tossing the orzo so it cools and again does not stick.

Once the orzo has cooled completely, add the beans, tomatoes, onion, mint (basil) and enough balsamic to coat the entire dish. season with salt and pepper to taste and add the juice of two lemons, mixing everything completely.

Gracie’s Balsamic Vinaigrette:

2 parts Balsamic Vinegar.
1 part olive oil
juice of a lemon
two cloves of garlic finely chopped
1/2 tsp. pepper
pinch of salt

Be sure to make enough to completely cover your salad. Make in advance and set aside in fridge for an hour or two.

If you live in the Nyack, NY area and plan on attending the “Men’s Cooking Event” at the Nyack Center on June 9, 2013, I will be featuring this Orzo Salad at my booth. Be sure to stop bye for a taste!

For more Healthy Italian/Mediterranean recipes like this, pick up a copy of my latest eBook:

“The Mediterranean Diet Recipe Book – Gracie’s Guide to Healthy Meals”