Orzo Orange Salad

This morning at work I was inspired to make a salad for our staff, Orzo Orange Salad is what I came up with and from what I heard about it, my salad was a huge hit. I hope you enjoy making it too. Enjoy your weekend.

Recipe for Orzo Orange Salad:


Orzo Orange Salad

In a pot cook the desired amount of orzo you would like to serve (for this recipe I would say use 4 c. cooked orzo) according to package instructions. I used our steamer at work, at home I would cook it on my gas stove just like pasta. Drain when cooked to desired texture and rinse under cool water, set aside until ready to use.

In a mixing bowl segment 8 oranges (cut off all the peel and pith, then cut out each segment of orange leaving behind any membrane, squeeze extra juice into the bowl), you can also use a can of mandarin oranges.
In another bowl mix together the following using a whisk: 1 1/2 c. Olive Oil, 1/3 c. Red Wine Vinegar, 1/4 c. Honey, 2 T. Orange Marmalade (I use low sugar Marmalade), 2 t. Garlic Powder, 2 t. Salt, 1 1/2 t. Black Pepper, 1-2 T. Dried Cilantro (fresh if you have it)
Add to dressing mixture the following: 2 Zucchini (diced in small pieces), 1 c. shredded Carrots, 1/3 Red Onion (diced in small pieces), the Orange Segments and Orzo. Mix together and serve.

This is a refreshing delicious salad.
*Orzo is very similar to pasta. Cook and treat the same way. I love using orzo in soups too.

For some variation add any of the following:

2 C. Baked or Grilled Salmon (break into pieces), wonderful dinner salad
2 C. Grilled, Rotisserie, or Fried Chicken slices
2 C. Grilled Steak slices
1-2 C. Feta (crumbled)
1 C. Roasted Pine Nuts
1 -2 C. Blue Cheese (crumbled)
1 Lb. Bacon (cooked and crumbled)

If I were making a dinner salad, I would add the steak, bacon and blue cheese to this salad and serve with a delicious sourdough or pumpernickel bread. I hope you give this a try over the weekend.

The Lunch Lady :)