Orzo Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Capers
This Orzo Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Capers is a perfect addition to your next summer barbecue. A fresh, crisp summer salad, it’s served chilled and therefore recommended that you prepare it beforehand to allow the flavors to be fully absorbed, while chilling overnight. Preparing this quick and easy salad beforehand also gives you more time to socialize with your guests.
What is Orzo Pasta?
Orzo pasta is pasta shaped like rice. This rice-shaped pasta is quick and easy to prepare and can be substituted for rice and quinoa. It serves as the star of this delightfully light and flavorful salad. Just like rice and or quinoa, this versatile pasta is perfect when paired with your favorite protein such as poultry, fish, or meats. Not only does it pair well with meats, but Orzo pasta is also versatile enough to be used in desserts such as puddings and fruit salads. It will also serve as an excellent base for low-calorie and vegetarian meals.
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Orzo Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Capers
Ingredients:
- 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 large (or 2 medium) tomato, seeded and chopped
- 1½ c. orzo pasta, cooked according to package directions
- 2 T. capers
- 1 T. caper liquid
- 1 T. fresh lemon juice
- 1 T. fresh thyme leaves
- 1 T. fresh parsley, chopped
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Keep this dish keto by using keto orzo pasta made with lupin flour!
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How to cook Orzo Pasta
Orzo Pasta is easy to prepare. Even though it’s shaped like rice, it cooks much more quickly than rice. You could either boil it like you would pasta in salted water and drain, or toast lightly in butter till golden brown, add water or stock, and boil till the broth is gone. Serve as a side dish, paired with or in soups, in a sauce, with cheese like pasta, or any way you like.
This salad can last up to three to five days in the fridge. The longer it sits the more the flavors of the olives and red onions are absorbed. If you like an intense flavor let it sit longer and if you prefer less intensity let it sit for less. It’s best not to pour the dressing onto the salad if it is going to sit for long periods to preserve the freshness of the salad.
Whichever way you choose to have it, by yourself, with family, or at your next summer barbecue enjoy.
Orzo Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Capers
This quick and easy chilled pasta salad is a great way to keep cool on a hot day. This delicious side dish tastes even better after the flavors have a chance to mingle, so make it a day or two in advance to take to your next picnic or casual gathering.
Ingredients
- 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 large (or 2 medium) tomato, seeded and chopped
- 1½ c. orzo pasta, cooked according to package directions
- 2 T. capers
- 1 T. caper liquid
- 1 T. fresh lemon juice
- 1 T. fresh thyme leaves
- 1 T. fresh parsley, chopped
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Add olive oil and minced garlic to a skillet set over medium heat. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, or just until the garlic starts to develop some color.
Add tomatoes and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or just until tomatoes become soft. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, capers and liquid, lemon juice, thyme, and parsley with the warm tomato and garlic mixture. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and stir to combine.
Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. Stir and serve chilled with grilled chicken breasts or your favorite entrée of choice. Enjoy!
Notes
Tip: The capers and liquid add saltiness to this dish. Taste before adding additional salt.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 263
Nutritional info :-
Serving size 1 cup
Calories per serving 263
Carbs 28 g
Fat 13 g
Protein 7g
Cholesterol 13 mg
Looking for a more complete guide to start or stick to the keto diet? My Ketogenic Diet 101 eBook is a complete, all-in-one resource for the ketogenic diet. This book includes all the need-to-know info about the keto diet, how it affects lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure plus over 45 recipes, checklists, and grocery lists to get you started. Want the 5-day meal plan for free? Get it below when you enter your details.
