Summer Salads: Nicoise Orzo Salad

My mother shared this unique salad with me many, many years ago. I have made it often over the years and still enjoy this Nicoise Orzo Salad as much now as when my mother first shared the recipe with me.

The nice thing about this salad is that the salad ingredients can be made ahead of time, mixed with the dressing and chilled before serving later in the day. The salad only takes about 30 minutes to prepare and then some additional time to chill. Next time you are looking for a entrée salad try this delicious Nicoise Orzo Salad

Nicoise Orzo Salad

Ingredients

1 cup orzo, cooked
½ pound green beans, cooked al dente and cut diagonally
1 6oz jar of marinated artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
1 can tuna, drained and flaked
1 red or yellow pepper, chopped
½ cup chopped red onion
1 ½ tsp. Thyme
1/3 cup Kalmata olives, seeded and halved
2 cups arugula

Directions

Combine all salad ingredients; mix with the dressing and chill, toss well before serving.

Salad Dressing

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
4 anchovies
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove
¼ cup olive oil

Directions

Process all dressing ingredients except the olive oil. Add the olive oil slowly until the dressing is emulsified.

I love a salad that goes together easily, can be made ahead of time and the leftovers can be enjoyed the next day. The addition of the orzo makes this salad a little different from any other salad and it will be a hit when you decide to share it with others!

The next time you have to bring a salad to a friend’s house or to a potluck make this unique salad, you’ll be glad you did. Your friends will thank you.