Orzo Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Capers
This delicious chilled orzo pasta salad is a great way to keep cool on a hot day. It's yummy as is but it 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 get-together. Orzo salad is a great side dish to serve with grilled chicken or your favorite summertime main dish. It packs and keeps well for taking to potlucks, backyard barbecues, picnics, and more.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic peeled and finely minced
- 1 large or 2 medium tomatoes washed and chopped, seeds and excess liquid discarded
- 1 ½ cup dried orzo cooked according to package directions and cooled
- 2 tbsp capers
- 1 tbsp caper liquid
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme stems removed and chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley stems removed and chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add olive oil and minced garlic to a cold skillet and turn heat to medium high. Sauté for 2 minutes, then add tomatoes and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes (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 tomato and garlic mixture. Toss until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. Stir and serve chilled with grilled chicken breasts or your favorite main dish.
Nutrition
Calories: 191kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 78mgPotassium: 176mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 368IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!