Colorful Garden Orzo Delight
Experience the vibrant flavors of summer in the Colorful Garden Orzo Delight. This refreshing salad is an ideal way to showcase the freshest vegetables from your garden. Loaded with crunchy cucumbers, zesty radishes, sweet corn, and creamy mozzarella, every bite is a burst of taste and color. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light summer meal, this dish is both satisfying and nutritious. Drizzled with a tangy white balsamic vinaigrette, it's a delightful addition to any table, ensuring you stay cool and refreshed on those warm summer days.
6
Servings
267
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
orzo pasta
8 ounces (cooked and rinsed with cold water)
cucumber
1 medium (peeled and diced small)
zucchini
1 medium (diced small)
radishes
5 (diced small)
red onion
1 small (diced small)
ear of corn
1 large (sliced off the cob (or canned))
roma tomato
1 (diced small)
red bell pepper
1/2 (diced small)
small tomatoes
1 cup (quartered)
mozzarella cheese (Perlini)
1 lb (balls)
fresh basil
to taste (chopped)
fresh parsley
to taste (chopped)
fresh chives
to taste (chopped)
white balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup (n/a)
honey
1 teaspoon (n/a)
Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon (n/a)
extra virgin olive oil
1 cup (n/a)
salt
to taste (n/a)
pepper
to taste (n/a)
Instructions
1
Start by cooking the orzo pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked, rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside.
2
Prepare all the vegetables: peel and dice the cucumber, zucchini, and radishes into small pieces, and finely chop the red onion.
3
Using a sharp knife, slice the kernels off the ear of corn, or drain and rinse the canned corn if using.
4
Dice the roma tomato and red bell pepper, and quarter the small tomatoes. Place all the chopped vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
5
Add the cooked orzo to the bowl with the vegetables. Gently fold in the mozzarella balls for a creamy touch.
6
In a separate jar, combine the white balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Shake vigorously until fully emulsified.
7
Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture, adding just enough to coat without overpowering. You may not need to use the entire dressing.
8
Gently toss everything together to combine flavors, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid.
9
Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled, garnished with freshly chopped basil, parsley, and chives.
Nutrition Information
20
Fat
23
Carbs
8
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Colorful Garden Orzo Delight?
It is a vibrant summer pasta salad featuring fresh garden vegetables, creamy mozzarella, and a tangy white balsamic vinaigrette.
What type of pasta is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of orzo pasta, cooked and rinsed with cold water.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this dish is completely vegetarian.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What are the main vegetables used in this salad?
The salad includes cucumber, zucchini, radishes, red onion, corn, roma tomatoes, and red bell peppers.
Can I use canned corn instead of fresh corn?
Yes, you can substitute one large ear of fresh corn with drained and rinsed canned corn.
What kind of cheese is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 lb of Perlini mozzarella balls for a creamy touch.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing consists of white balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper.
How long should the salad be refrigerated before serving?
It is recommended to refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What are the nutritional facts for one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 267 calories, 20g of fat, 23g of carbohydrates, and 8g of protein.
Which herbs are used for garnishing?
The salad is garnished with freshly chopped basil, parsley, and chives.
How do I prepare the cucumber for this dish?
The cucumber should be peeled and diced into small pieces.
Can I use a different type of vinegar for the dressing?
While white balsamic is recommended, you could substitute it with white wine vinegar if needed.
Is this salad served hot or cold?
This salad is served chilled, making it ideal for warm summer days.
Do I need to use all of the dressing?
No, you should drizzle enough to coat the ingredients without overpowering them; you may have some left over.
What is the purpose of rinsing the orzo in cold water?
Rinsing the orzo stops the cooking process and prevents the pasta from sticking together.
Is there a specific preparation for the zucchini?
The zucchini should be diced into small pieces to match the texture of the other vegetables.
Can I add other proteins to this salad?
Yes, you could easily add grilled chicken or chickpeas if you want to increase the protein content.
How should I store leftovers?
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
What makes this salad 'garden' style?
It is considered garden-style because it utilizes a wide variety of fresh, crunchy vegetables often found in summer gardens.
Is the corn cooked before adding it to the salad?
The recipe calls for slicing kernels off the ear; you can use them raw for crunch or lightly steam them if preferred.
Can I substitute the honey in the dressing?
Yes, you can use agave nectar or maple syrup as a vegan-friendly alternative to honey.
How small should the radishes be cut?
The radishes should be diced small to provide a consistent crunch throughout the salad.
What if I cannot find Perlini mozzarella?
You can use regular fresh mozzarella pearls or dice a larger ball of fresh mozzarella into small cubes.
Can I make this salad a day in advance?
Yes, making it a day ahead can actually help the flavors develop even further.
Is this dish suitable for a picnic?
Absolutely, its refreshing nature and portability make it perfect for picnics and potlucks.
How much olive oil is used in the dressing?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
Does this recipe contain any added sugar?
It contains a small amount of natural sweetness from 1 teaspoon of honey in the dressing.
What kind of tomatoes are best?
The recipe uses a combination of one diced roma tomato and a cup of quartered small tomatoes like cherry or grape tomatoes.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 19 ingredients included in this recipe.