Estate Comforts
Farmers Market Orzo Salad
The Strategy:
This light and refreshing pasta salad is the ultimate showcase for vibrant summer produce. Tender orzo is tossed in a bright, zesty lemon-garlic dressing and combined with crisp cucumber, sharp green onions, sweet baby heirloom tomatoes, and fresh parsley. It is a quick, versatile side dish that pairs beautifully with grilled proteins or a platter of roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
For the lemon vinaigrette
- Juice of 2 medium lemons, about ¼ cup
- 3 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced, about 2 teaspoons
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
For the salad
Instructions
Make the vinaigrette
- Whisk together lemon juice, garlic, and mustard in a bowl. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow steady stream. Season the dressing with some of the salt and pepper.
Cook and cool the orzo
- Cook the orzo in 2 quarts salted, boiling water until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Drain the orzo through a colander and place into a large bowl. Pour half of the dressing over the orzo and stir. Cool to room temperature (or place into the fridge to chill for 5 minutes or so).
Toss and serve
- Add the cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and parsley to the cooled orzo. Pour in the remaining dressing. Gently toss the salad together. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
The Heart of the Table
This colorful, vegetable-packed pasta salad brings a vibrant, fresh-from-the-market energy to the dining table. Plated on a beautiful serving bowl, its bright lemons and fresh green herbs spark easy conversation and set a light, relaxed mood for a shared summer lunch.
The Art of the Host
- a hand-turned, wide-rimmed salad bowl crafted from solid cherrywood
- a set of matte-finished ceramic salad plates chilled beforehand
- a set of minimalist, mouth-blown crystal coupe glasses with slender stems
- a professional Hawthorne strainer with a tight-coil spring
- a set of heavy-gauge, satin-finished stainless steel mixing bowls
- a platinum-grade non-stick silicone baking mat for consistent heat conduction
Neighborly Grace
- THE PRESENTATION: Spoon the vibrant orzo salad into a shallow, wide ceramic bowl. Garnish the top with whole fresh parsley leaves and a few thin slices of fresh lemon for a beautiful, market-fresh presentation.
- THE POUR: Pair this zesty, herbaceous salad with a chilled, high-acid Sauvignon Blanc or a crisp dry Rosé. For a non-alcoholic option, serve a sparkling lemonade infused with fresh cucumber slices.
- THE VIBE: Sun-Dappled Terrace. A cool summer breeze and a bowl of fresh, zesty pasta salad set a light, relaxed tone for sharing stories with neighbors.