Zesty Orzo Salad

The combination of olives, artichoke hearts and bell peppers give this salad a burst of flavor and I love the addition of Lima Beans for a bit of texture.  If you aren't a Lima bean fan, any other bean will work.

Orzo noodles tend to really soak up the dressing so I poured a good amount of the dressing over the salad while the noodles were warm, then put in the fridge.  I poured the rest of the dressing in before serving.  You may not want to use all the dressing but I prefer well dressed salads.

Zesty Orzo Salad

Dining with Friends CB – adapted recipe

1            cup dry orzo, cooked, drained and rinsed with cool water

1/2         cup red onion, diced

1            bunch scallions  (mostly the white parts), chopped

6            or more sun-dried tomato halves, diced

1/2         red and yellow bell pepper  ( I only had red on hand)

6            or more Spanish olives, pitted and chopped (I used greek olives)

4            artichoke hears, chopped (I used kind jarred in oil)

***1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained ***I didn’t use

1/2         cup cooked lima beans, fresh or frozen

1/4         cup fresh parsley, minced

1/4         cup fresh dill, minced

              salt and pepper to taste

Dressing:

1/2        cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3        cup wine vinegar (I used red)

            juice of one lemon

            pinch of turmeric

            pinch of sugar  (I used a bit of agave)

Place cooked orzo in a salad bowl and stir in red onion, scallions, sun-dried tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, artichoke hearts, beans, parsley and dill.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Whisk dressing ingredients to blend them; taste the dressing and adjust seasonings before combining it with the salad.  Serve slightly chilled.