-2.2 C
New York
Thursday, January 9, 2025

Buy now

Greek-Type Risoni Salad with Lemon, Feta & Olives


This flavour-packed Greek-style risoni (orzo) pasta salad with lemon, olives, feta and chickpeas all wearing a lemon French dressing is stuffed with contemporary and scrumptious components, and takes simply quarter-hour to arrange!

Close up of risoni salad in a serving bowl.Close up of risoni salad in a serving bowl.

For a crowd-pleasing summer time salad recipe that’s good for BBQs, household get-togethers or makes a fast and straightforward dinner, you can not beat this Greek risoni salad.

Full of crunchy greens, salty feta cheese and protein-rich chickpeas, all tossed in a contemporary lemon French dressing, risoni salad is SO flavourful and scrumptious, everybody will likely be coming again for seconds!

Risoni, often known as orzo, is a small oval-shaped pasta that does not take lengthy to cook dinner. It isn’t solely scrumptious in risoni pasta salad, however this versatile ingredient makes a filling lemon rooster orzo soup and probably the most scrumptious pork meatballs with creamy tomato risoni that children love!

Orzo salad served on a white plate.Orzo salad served on a white plate.

Why You are Going To Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make – there are not any difficult steps on this risoni pasta salad recipe.
  • Full of flavour – the mixture of scrumptious lemon risoni, Greek chickpea salad and lemon French dressing means there’s SO a lot flavour in each chew!
  • Versatile recipe – you’ll be able to simply alter the components to make this salad fit your tastes. Vegan? Use vegetable inventory and omit the butter and feta cheese. Don’t love olives? Go away them out. Haven’t got feta cheese at hand? Substitute with goats cheese.
  • Simply made vegetarian – simply swap the rooster inventory liquid for vegetable inventory liquid.

What You Want 

This Mediterranean risoni salad is made with a handful of contemporary crunchy greens, risoni (orzo), lemon, feta, olives and some retailer cabinet staples.

Notice: Scroll to the recipe card on the backside for the components portions and full detailed methodology.

Ingredients placed on a bench top.Ingredients placed on a bench top.
  • Olive oil (for cooking the risoni) – a daily olive oil is okay to make use of right here.
  • Olive oil (for the salad dressing) – common or additional virgin olive oil.
  • Butter – you should utilize salted butter or unsalted butter, nevertheless I desire to make use of unsalted butter to manage the salt ranges because the feta cheese and olives are salty and the inventory liquid additionally has added salt.
  • Crimson onion – finely diced purple onion provides a stunning flavour. Don’t fret in case you aren’t a fan of uncooked onions, it’s cooked with the pasta.
  • Risoni – often known as orzo, this small rice-sized pasta is nice for pasta salads. Or substitute with different small pasta shapes, rice or quinoa.
  • Hen inventory liquid – or use vegetable inventory if vegetarian.
  • Lemon juice and finely grated lemon zest – from one lemon. Recent lemon juice and zest provides a zesty, vivid and contemporary flavour to the salad.
  • Flaked almonds – or use slivered almonds. Toasting them till frivolously golden actually brings out their flavour.
  • Chickpeas – canned chickpeas are a handy and economical means of including protein to the salad.
  • Lebanese cucumber – or use half a continental cucumber.
  • Cherry or grape tomatoes – halved.
  • Kalamata olives – these olives are extra intensely flavoured than different black olives. I like to recommend utilizing pitted olives for ease.
  • Mushy feta cheese – I like to make use of a Danish fashion feta cheese on this salad, as it’s creamier than different kinds of feta cheese.
  • Salt and pepper – to style.

Gear Required

Primary cooking gear is all that is required to make this contemporary and wholesome Greek risoni salad!

  • Saucepan – to cook dinner the risoni.
  • Small frying pan – for toasting the flaked almonds.
  • Massive bowl – to combine the salad in.
  • Jar with lid – for making the French dressing.
A serve of salad on a white plate with the bowl in the background.A serve of salad on a white plate with the bowl in the background.

Step By Step Directions

This simple risoni salad recipe takes simply quarter-hour to arrange! Make it forward and add the lemon dressing simply earlier than serving for the EASIEST wholesome lunch or dinner!

Notice: Scroll to the recipe card on the backside for the components portions and full detailed methodology.

Step 1 – Put together The Lemon Risoni (Orzo)

Soften the olive oil and butter in a saucepan. Add the purple onion and sauté till softened

Add the risoni (orzo) and stir over the warmth for 1 minute to coat the grains. 

The cooked onion and raw risoni in a saucepan.The cooked onion and raw risoni in a saucepan.

Pour within the rooster inventory liquid and lemon juice, and add the lemon zest and salt and pepper

Chicken stock poured into the saucepan.Chicken stock poured into the saucepan.

Simmer till the risoni is al denteDrain any extra liquid.

The creamy cooked risoni in the saucepan.The creamy cooked risoni in the saucepan.

Unfold the risoni out on a flat tray in a good layer then place within the fridge till chilly. 

The grains of cooked pasta spread out on a tray to cool.The grains of cooked pasta spread out on a tray to cool.

Step 2 – Toast The Almonds

Whereas the risoni is chilling, place the flaked almonds right into a small frying pan. Warmth over low warmth, stirring, till frivolously golden. Take care to not allow them to burn.

Flaked almonds toasted until golden in a small frying pan.Flaked almonds toasted until golden in a small frying pan.

Step 3 -Assemble The Salad

Place the cooled risoni right into a giant bowl, loosening any chunks which are caught collectively. 

The cooled risoni  in a bowl.The cooled risoni  in a bowl.

Add the chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and two-thirds of the feta cheese

The other salad ingredients added to the bowl.The other salad ingredients added to the bowl.

Step 4 – Make The French dressing And Serve

Make the lemon French dressing: Place the olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper right into a jar or container with a lid and shake till nicely mixed

Pour half of the dressing excessive of the salad and toss to coat. Style the salad and add additional dressing if wanted

The mixed risoni salad.The mixed risoni salad.

Spoon the salad right into a serving bowl, sprinkle with the remaining feta cheese and the toasted flaked almonds and serve instantly.

Close up of the finished salad in a serving bowl with toasted flaked almonds and crumbled feta on top.Close up of the finished salad in a serving bowl with toasted flaked almonds and crumbled feta on top.

Professional Suggestions

  • Chilling Time – it is essential to relax the cooked pasta in order that it companies up and is not gluggy. Break up any bigger chunks once you place it into the salad bowl. 
  • If pressed for time – you’ll be able to place the risoni within the freezer to chill shortly.
  • Toast flaked almonds fastidiously – as they will begin to burn simply.
  • Chickpeas – rinse and drain the chickpeas because the brine they’re packed in is salty, and can dilute that contemporary lemony French dressing!
  • Cooking the risoni (orzo) in inventory provides SO a lot flavour to the salad because the pasta absorbs all that scrumptious flavour because it cooks.
  • Including the dressing – depart the dressing off the salad till you are able to serve it.
  • Further add-ins – add cubed purple or inexperienced capsicum, a handful of peppery rocket, a grilled rooster breast or leftover BBQ rooster... the choices are limitless!
  • Serving – for greatest outcomes, serve the salad at room temperature.
  • Storing – retailer orzo salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days.
Overhead shot of a healthy grain salad with crumbled feta on top.Overhead shot of a healthy grain salad with crumbled feta on top.

FAQs 

Is risoni a rice or pasta?

Regardless of trying like giant grains of rice, risoni is definitely a sort of pasta (additionally referred to as orzo). It’s often known as risi (Italian for rice) or pasta a riso and can also be known as orzo. Risoni is created from a combination of durum flour, semolina and water, then kneaded right into a dough earlier than being rolled flat and formed right into a oval-shaped pasta with its distinctive pointed ends. Risoni is nice for substituting in rice and different pasta dishes, or utilizing in hearty casseroles, soups and wholesome salads.

Can I make this salad gluten free?

Completely! Use rice or quinoa as a substitute of the risoni, and examine that your inventory liquid is gluten free.

Can I freeze Greek risoni salad?

No. This salad is just not appropriate for freezing. It’s best assembled with the dressing added simply earlier than serving and served at room temperature.

Close up of Greek risoni salad on a white plate.Close up of Greek risoni salad on a white plate.

For extra scrumptious salads which are full of flavour, take a look at these different standard recipes:

WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my publication or observe alongside on Fb or Instagram. And in case you love baking, then please come and be part of my Fb cooking membership group or subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

An overhead shot of a bowl of risono salad with Greek flavours including lemon, feta and tomato.An overhead shot of a bowl of risono salad with Greek flavours including lemon, feta and tomato.

Greek-Type Risoni Salad

A flavour packed Greek-style risoni (orzo) pasta salad with lemon, olives, feta, cucumber, chickpeas and almonds drizzled in a easy lemon French dressing.

Print Pin Charge

Course: Salads

Delicacies: Greek

Weight-reduction plan: Vegetarian

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook dinner Time: 10 minutes

Chilling Time: 30 minutes

Complete Time: 55 minutes

Servings: 12 serves

Energy: 373kcal

Elements

For The Lemon French dressing

Forestall your display from going darkish

Directions

Put together The Lemon Risoni (orzo)

  • Soften the olive oil and butter in a saucepan.Add the purple onion and saute for 1-2 minutes or till softened.
  • Add the risoni (orzo) and stir over the warmth for 1 minute.

  • Add the rooster inventory liquid, lemon juice, lemon zest and salt and pepper.

  • Cook dinner, whereas simmering, for 8-10 minutes or till the risoni is al dente. Drain any extra liquid.
  • Unfold the risoni out on a flat tray and chill within the fridge or freezer till chilly.

Put together The Salad

  • Whereas the risoni is chilling, place the flaked almonds right into a small frying pan over low warmth. Stir till frivolously golden after which put aside.
  • Place the cooled risoni into a big bowl (loosening any chunks which are caught collectively).

  • Add the chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and 100g of the tender feta cheese.

Make The Lemon French dressing

  • Place the olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper right into a jar or container with a lid. Shake till nicely mixed.

Notes

RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
  • Cooking the risoni (orzo) in inventory provides SO a lot flavour to the salad because the pasta absorbs all that scrumptious flavour because it cooks.
  • Chilling time – it is essential to relax the cooked pasta in order that it companies up and is not gluggy. Break up any bigger chunks once you place it into the salad bowl. 
  • If pressed for time – you may also pop the risoni within the freezer to chill.
  • Toast flaked almonds fastidiously – as they will begin to burn simply.
  • Chickpeas – rinse and drain the chickpeas because the brine they’re packed in is salty, and can dilute that contemporary lemony French dressing!
  • Add the dressing – simply earlier than serving the salad.
  • Further add-ins – add cubed purple or inexperienced capsicum, a handful of peppery rocket, a grilled rooster breast or leftover BBQ rooster… the choices are limitless!
  • Gluten free salad – use rice or quinoa as a substitute of the risoni, and examine that your inventory liquid is gluten free.
  • Serving – for greatest outcomes, serve this salad at room temperature.
  • Storing – retailer orzo salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days. This recipe is just not appropriate for freezing.

Vitamin

Energy: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 11g | Fats: 19g | Saturated Fats: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 11g | Trans Fats: 0.04g | Ldl cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 305mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 232IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 2mg


Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Articles