Vegetable Orzo Salad

March 12, 2012

Winter-warming comfort foods have left my mind completely. In their place, I see visions of grills, picnics, sandwiches, salads, and green gardens. It’s like the spring switch has been flipped and there is no going back. 
Spring veggies haven’t emerged in the garden, but I had to make something that would indicate to my brain and stomach that it is just a matter of time. I don’t make pasta salad often, but every now and then it makes one delicious lunch, especially when you load it with as many vegetables as possible. 
I love orzo in pasta salads because it feels like a lighter choice. Those small pieces don’t sit as heavy as macaroni or rigatoni. Any variety of vegetables can be added to this salad. I’m planning for some asparagus in a few weeks that will make a nice addition. 
If you like your pasta salads with a little more dressing, you can double the dressing recipe. Only a small amount is used, but this is a mayo based dressing. If you aren’t into mayo, I have a feeling plain Greek yogurt would work too.
Vegetable Orzo Salad
3 cups orzo, cooked and cooled
1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
1 cup cauliflower florets, chopped
1/8 cup onion, finely chopped
15 black olives, halved
15 green olives, halved
2 generous tbsp mayo
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 ½ tsp mascavo sugar (or white)
Salt and pepper to taste
Place the orzo and veggies in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Best served cold. Makes 6 servings.
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  • Velva March 12, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    Love pasta salads. I make them often during the warm months( which are plentiful since I live in Florida)

    Your pasta salad looks really good.

    Velva

  • Joanne March 13, 2012 at 4:49 am

    Orzo salads definitely scream spring to me…I think it’s because they tend to have so many veggies mixed in! Love this.

  • Purabi Naha March 13, 2012 at 9:09 am

    This sounds like amazingly delicious and healthy orzo salad. The photograph is absolutely stunning!! http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com

  • Juliana March 13, 2012 at 11:39 am

    Looks delicious your pasta salad, like it with the broccoli and cauliflower…and tasty olives…yum!
    Hope you are having a great week Lori 🙂

  • Danielle March 13, 2012 at 11:55 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  • Danielle March 13, 2012 at 11:58 am

    I left the wrong link before, so let’s try this again.

    I love orzo but I always forget about it – along with about 50 other things! I love the versatility of pasta salad.

    I’m also soliciting your vote for a recipe I created. I’d really appreciate your vote (: Thanks!

    http://www.danielledeskins.blogspot.com/2012/03/black-and-white-dulce-de-leche-bars.html

  • Fresh Local and Best March 17, 2012 at 7:43 am

    This salad looks perfect to accompany a Spring picnic in the park.

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