Imen Dridi Giada De Laurentiis’ Orzo Salad is made with orzo pasta, garbanzo beans, fresh herbs, colorful tomatoes, and a homemade red wine vinaigrette. This refreshing and flavorful dish serves 16 and can be prepared in about 30 minutes, ideal for gatherings and potlucks.
More Giada De Laurentiis Recipes:
- Giada De Laurentiis Peach Salad
- Giada De Laurentiis Potato Salad
- Giada De Laurentiis Brussel Sprout Salad
🧡 Why You’ll Love This Orzo Salad Recipe:
- Fresh and Flavorful: The combination of fresh herbs, ripe tomatoes, and tangy vinaigrette creates a burst of fresh flavors.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with wholesome ingredients like whole grain orzo, garbanzo beans, and fresh vegetables, it’s a nutritious choice.
- Easy to Make: The recipe is straightforward and quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy days or last-minute meals.
- Perfect for Gatherings: Its ability to serve a large number makes it great for parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.
- Colorful Presentation: The mix of red and yellow tomatoes, green herbs, and golden orzo makes this dish visually appealing.
- Refreshing Taste: The Red Wine Vinaigrette dressing adds a refreshing and tangy taste, balancing the flavors beautifully.
❓ What Is Giada De Laurentiis Orzo Salad Recipe?
Giada De Laurentiis’ Orzo Salad combines orzo pasta, garbanzo beans, fresh basil, mint, red onion, and colorful tomatoes, tossed in a homemade red wine vinaigrette. It’s a fresh, flavorful dish perfect for a light meal or a side salad.
🍚 Giada De Laurentiis Orzo Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups orzo
- 1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups red and yellow teardrop tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved
- 3/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- About 3/4 cup Red Wine Vinaigrette, recipe follows
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Red Wine Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
🥗 How To Make Giada De Laurentiis Orzo Salad
- Put the water into a big, heavy pot. Over high heat, cover the pan and bring the soup to a boil. Get the orzo mixed in.
- Partially cover and cook for about 7 minutes, turning often, until the orzo is soft but still has some bite to it. Put a sieve over the orzo and drain it.
- Move the orzo to a big, wide bowl and mix it around until it’s a little cooler. Leave to cool all the way down.
- The orzo should be mixed with enough vinegar to cover it. Add the beans, tomatoes, onion, basil, mint, and basil. Add salt and pepper to taste, and serve the salad at room temperature.
Red Wine Vinaigrette:
- Pour the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper into a mixer. This will make the red wine vinaigrette.
- Slowly add the oil while the machine is going. You can add more salt and pepper to the dressing if you like.
💭 Recipe Tips
- Orzo Cooking: Cook the orzo until it’s al dente (firm to the bite). Overcooking can make it mushy in the salad.
- Vinaigrette Balance: Taste the Red Wine Vinaigrette as you make it, adjusting the acidity with lemon juice or honey to balance the flavors.
- Tomatoes: Choose ripe, flavorful tomatoes as they are a key ingredient. Halving them releases their juices, which adds to the salad’s flavor.
- Bean Preparation: Ensure the garbanzo beans are well-drained and rinsed to remove any canning liquid and to keep the salad from becoming soggy.
🥪 What To Serve With Orzo Salad?
Serve Orzo Salad with grilled chicken, fish, or steak for a complete meal it also pairs well with sandwiches, wraps, or as a refreshing side to BBQs and picnics, complementing a variety of main dishes with its light, herby flavor.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Orzo Salad?
- Refrigerator Storage: Place leftover Orzo Salad in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator it will stay fresh for about 3-5 days.
- Freezing (Not Recommended): While freezing is an option, it’s not recommended for this salad the texture of the orzo and fresh ingredients can change significantly, affecting the overall quality.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Orzo Salad?
- In The Microwave: Heat a small amount of Leftovers Orzo Salad in a microwave-safe dish for about 30 -60 seconds on low power stir and check if it’s slightly warmed.
- In The Stovetop: Gently warm Leftovers Orzo Salad in a skillet on low heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring continuously.
FAQs
Can I make orzo salad gluten-free?
Yes, you can use gluten-free orzo, which is made from corn or rice flour, available in health food stores or specialized grocery sections.
Can I use a different type of pasta for orzo salad?
Absolutely small pasta shapes like farfalle, fusilli, or even quinoa can be used as substitutes, the texture and cooking times may vary.
Can I make orzo salad ahead of time?
Yes, it’s a great make-ahead dish the flavors meld and develop as it sits. Just give it a good stir and perhaps a fresh drizzle of dressing before serving.
How can I make orzo salad more flavorful?
You can enhance the flavor by adding more herbs, spices, or a tangy cheese like feta. Marinated artichokes, olives, or sun-dried tomatoes also add a flavor punch.
How can I add protein to orzo salad?
You can add grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or even chunks of feta cheese for a protein boost. These ingredients complement the flavors of the salad well.
Try More Giada De Laurentiis Recipes:
- Giada De Laurentiis Brussel Sprouts Agrodolce
- Giada De Laurentiis Baccala Salad
- Giada De Laurentiis Grilled Vegetables
Giada De Laurentiis Orzo Salad Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
- Calories 288.0
- Total Fat 10.8g
- Saturated Fat 0.0g
- Cholesterol 1.4mg
- Sodium 265.0mg
- Potassium 44.7mg
- Total Carbohydrate 42.4g
- Dietary Fiber 1.7g
- Sugars 3.5g
- Protein6.3g
Giada De Laurentiis Orzo Salad
Description
Giada De Laurentiis’ Orzo Salad is made with orzo pasta, garbanzo beans, fresh herbs, colorful tomatoes, and a homemade red wine vinaigrette. This refreshing and flavorful dish serves 6 and can be prepared in about 30 minutes, ideal for gatherings and potlucks.
Ingredients
Red Wine Vinaigrette:
Instructions
- Put the water into a big, heavy pot. Over high heat, cover the pan and bring the soup to a boil. Get the orzo mixed in.
- Partially cover and cook for about 7 minutes, turning often, until the orzo is soft but still has some bite to it. Put a sieve over the orzo and drain it.
- Move the orzo to a big, wide bowl and mix it around until it’s a little cooler. Leave to cool all the way down.
- The orzo should be mixed with enough vinegar to cover it. Add the beans, tomatoes, onion, basil, mint, and basil. Add salt and pepper to taste, and serve the salad at room temperature.
- Pour the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper into a mixer. This will make the red wine vinaigrette.
- Slowly add the oil while the machine is going. You can add more salt and pepper to the dressing if you like.
Red Wine Vinaigrette:
Notes
- Orzo Cooking: Cook the orzo until it’s al dente (firm to the bite). Overcooking can make it mushy in the salad.
- Vinaigrette Balance: Taste the Red Wine Vinaigrette as you make it, adjusting the acidity with lemon juice or honey to balance the flavors.
- Tomatoes: Choose ripe, flavorful tomatoes as they are a key ingredient. Halving them releases their juices, which adds to the salad’s flavor.
- Bean Preparation: Ensure the garbanzo beans are well-drained and rinsed to remove any canning liquid and to keep the salad from becoming soggy.
