Greek Summer Salad with Orzo, to Share

You check your phone and see this message: “Hello, we’re having a potluck next Thursday and we’d love for you to come.” You reply, “Great, I’ll be there.” Then you wonder what on earth you’re going to bring…

We asked Caitlin Boudreau, Lead Dietitian Nutritionist at My TELUS Health Care, to give us a recipe that’s tasty, simple to make, and easy to share with family and friends. This recipe combines orzo pasta with a mix of colourful vegetables, tangy feta and salty olives to create a refreshing dish that’s perfect for hot summer days. Give this recipe a try and, who knows, it might just become your signature dish that everyone asks you to bring from now on.

Greek Summer Salad with Orzo

This recipe makes 6 servings.

Ingredients for the salad:

• 1½ cups orzo
• 1 English cucumber, quartered vertically and cut into 0.5 cm thick pieces
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup feta cheese, chopped or crumbled
• ¼ large red onion, thinly sliced
•  ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives
• ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup chopped fresh mint

 Ingredients for the dressing:

•  ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 3 tbsp lime juice
• ¾ cup olive oil
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 2 tbsp sugar
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preparation :

1. Boil water in a large pot. Prepare orzo according to package directions. Once orzo is cooked, drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool.

2. While the orzo is cooking, combine all the other ingredients in a large bowl.

3. Combine dressing ingredients in another bowl and whisk until combined.

4. Add the orzo to the vegetables and toss with the dressing (to taste). No need to use all the dressing. Store the rest in a glass jar and refrigerate for later use.

5. Toss the salad, season with freshly ground pepper and serve.

This fibre-rich salad is great for digestion and helps keep you fuller longer. While it’s suitable for most people, TELUS Health MyCare’s Registered Dietitians can give you personalized recommendations so you can eat meals that nourish your body in a way that’s unique to you. The best way to know what’s best for you and your body is to get personalized nutrition advice from a Registered Dietitian.