Refreshing Summer Orzo Salad

Health score
26%
Refreshing Summer Orzo Salad
35 min.
8
558kcal

Suggestions


Welcome to the vibrant world of summer flavors with our Refreshing Summer Orzo Salad! This delightful dish is not just a feast for the eyes but also a celebration of fresh ingredients that come together in a symphony of taste. Perfect for warm days, this salad is versatile enough to serve as a side dish, a light lunch, or even a main course that will impress your guests.

Imagine the tender orzo pasta, perfectly cooked and tossed with aromatic herbs like basil and thyme, creating a fragrant base that invites you to take a bite. The addition of creamy basil-flavored feta cheese adds a rich, tangy note, while the pitted kalamata olives and capers bring a briny punch that elevates the entire dish. And let’s not forget the crunch of toasted pine nuts, which adds a delightful texture that contrasts beautifully with the fresh spinach leaves.

With a preparation time of just 35 minutes, this salad is not only quick to make but also packed with nutrients, making it a guilt-free indulgence. Whether you serve it warm or let it chill in the fridge for a day, the flavors meld together beautifully, making it even more delicious the next day. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a refreshing dish that embodies the essence of summer!

Ingredients

  • 1.5 tablespoons butter 
  • ounce capers with liquid
  • cups chicken broth 
  • 0.5 teaspoon basil dried
  • 0.5 teaspoon thyme leaves dried
  • 12 ounces basil-flavored feta cheese 
  • 1.5 teaspoons garlic minced
  • cup kalamata olives pitted
  • tablespoon juice of lemon 
  • 0.3 cup olive oil extra-virgin
  • 16 ounce orzo pasta 
  • cup pinenuts 
  • 0.3 teaspoon pepper flakes red crushed
  • 10 ounce spinach leaves fresh chopped

Equipment

  • bowl
  • frying pan

Directions

  1. Bring the chicken broth to a boil over high heat.
  2. Add the orzo pasta, and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Drain well, then pour the orzo into a bowl, and toss with the butter to keep it from sticking; set aside.
  4. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, and cook until the garlic softens and the aroma mellows, about 2 minutes. Stir in the basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, and pine nuts. Cook and stir until the pine nuts have toasted to a light golden brown.
  5. Stir the pine nut mixture into the orzo along with the olives, capers, feta cheese, spinach, and lemon juice.
  6. Serve either warm or cold, but it's better the next day.

Nutrition Facts

Calories558kcal
Protein12.58%
Fat52.79%
Carbs34.63%

Properties

Glycemic Index
22.63
Glycemic Load
17.68
Inflammation Score
-10
Nutrition Score
30.348260625549%

Flavonoids

Eriodictyol
0.09mg
Hesperetin
0.27mg
Naringenin
0.03mg
Apigenin
0.01mg
Luteolin
0.36mg
Kaempferol
11.57mg
Myricetin
0.13mg
Quercetin
13.65mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:558.15kcal
27.91%
Fat:33.47g
51.49%
Saturated Fat:9.32g
58.27%
Carbohydrates:49.41g
16.47%
Net Carbohydrates:45.33g
16.48%
Sugar:2.95g
3.28%
Cholesterol:45.84mg
15.28%
Sodium:1430.17mg
62.18%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:17.94g
35.89%
Vitamin K:189.52µg
180.5%
Manganese:2.42mg
120.82%
Vitamin A:3672.85IU
73.46%
Selenium:43.52µg
62.17%
Phosphorus:373.07mg
37.31%
Vitamin B2:0.58mg
34.23%
Magnesium:114.83mg
28.71%
Vitamin E:4.26mg
28.38%
Calcium:280.26mg
28.03%
Copper:0.52mg
25.76%
Folate:101.29µg
25.32%
Zinc:3.43mg
22.89%
Iron:3.38mg
18.8%
Vitamin B6:0.36mg
18.15%
Fiber:4.09g
16.35%
Vitamin B1:0.24mg
15.82%
Potassium:490.61mg
14.02%
Vitamin C:11.33mg
13.73%
Vitamin B3:2.75mg
13.73%
Vitamin B12:0.75µg
12.44%
Vitamin B5:0.76mg
7.58%
Vitamin D:0.17µg
1.13%
Source:Allrecipes