Mediterranean Strawberry Orzo Pasta Salad

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Mediterranean Strawberry Orzo Pasta Salad Some of my favourite Mediterranean flavours may be found in this pasta salad with strawberries and orzo. It takes so little work to make the ideal picnic salad!

One of my favourite bright side dishes for potluck events is this orzo pasta salad, which I also like to serve with baked trout or grilled chicken. And yes, as I just mentioned, not every Mediterranean salad needs to have feta cheese, but this one does—quite a bunch!

Table of Contents

Ingredients:

  1. 8 oz. young broccoli with the rough ends cut off
  2. Extra virgin olive oil of early harvest with salt
  3. a quarter cup of pasta (orzo)
  4. one finely chopped shallot
  5. Minced scallions in a cup
  6. One cup of freshly chopped parsley, packed
  7. 15-20 fresh basil leaves, torn
  8. 2 cups baby arugula
  9. 8 oz. strawberries, sliced
  10. ¾ lb feta cheese, cut into cubes or small chunks

Lemon Vinaigrette

  1. ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  2. ½ cup Early Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  3. 1 tsp honey
  4. 1 ½ tsp salt
  5. 1 tsp pepper

 

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut baby broccoli into even-sized slices or in half lengthwise. Transfer to a baking sheet, then mix with a little olive oil and salt. Roast for 15 minutes in a preheated oven. Take out of the oven and place aside. (Optional step: if preferred, you may use raw broccoli.)
  2. As the broccoli roasts, prepare the spaghetti. Pour water into a big pot and stir in olive oil and salt. Add the orzo and bring to a boil. Bring to a simmer for 9 to 11 minutes. Empty. Place the heated spaghetti into a mixing basin.
  3. Blend the lemon vinaigrette quickly. Combine all the ingredients for the vinaigrette in a small bowl and whisk well to blend.
  4. Over the hot spaghetti, drizzle the vinaigrette. Add the basil, parsley, scallions, and shallots. To mix, toss. Place aside to cool (you may let the flavours meld if you leave it for an hour).
  5. Add the roasted baby broccoli, strawberries and rocket to the pasta once it has cooled. Gently toss to mix. Add slices of feta cheese on top at last. Once more, toss very lightly, allowing the cheese to stay primarily on top. Have fun!

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