Something about my birthday week last week just left me craving more veggies and home cooking. Was it the amazing dinner at Acorn that ended in free desserts (yes, multiple)? The ice cream pit stops with multiple friends? The birthday drink from Starbucks (okay fine add whip)?
Either way, I went overboard at the farmers’ market on Saturday morning and am now struggling to devour all the produce we bought. I have eaten this Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad with a Lemon Garlic Dressing for lunch 3 days in a row because it’sย that good, and chock full of summer’s fresh bounty. Green beans, red peppers, sweet corn, and chives are tossed with orzo and a deliciously tangy lemon garlic dressing. Let’s get to it.
- ½ lb orzo pasta
- ½ lb green beans
- 2 red peppers
- 2 ears sweet corn
- ⅛ cup chives
- Optional: hard boil eggs
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 lemon
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Cook pasta per package instructions.
- Steam or boil the ears of corn and the green beans for 5-8 minutes, until tender.
- Dice the red pepper, green beans, and strip the corn off the ear. Chop chives. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Juice the lemon and grate the garlic clove for the dressing. Combine the ingredients for the dressing and whisk until combined. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until combined.
- If desired as a lunch or easy dinner, top each salad with a sliced hard boiled egg.
I’ve made this lunch by adding a hard boiled egg into the mix – but feel free to take this to the next level with chopped chicken, avocado, cucumber, arugula on the bottom, sauteed zucchini, or even a storebought Italian dressing for a shortcut. I promise you’ll love the combination of mini pasta, crunchy and sweet veggies, and zesty flavor.
Have you been frequenting your farmers’ market? I still have more corn, more green beans, and a ton of farm fresh lettuce to devour- along with a full harvest from a basil plant I got on sale at Whole Foods. A coworker brought inย some tiny plums from her backyard too!
I’ll take any ideas. I swear, I’m not complaining!
Marisa
Lauren says
Yummy, this looks great. Anything with fresh veggies is perfect, especially when it’s topped with an egg! ๐
Marisa says
The egg definitely makes it a meal! Thanks, Lauren.
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
What a pretty dish, with such vibrant colors! I love getting produce at the farmers markets! With the leftover corn you can make my corn & basil cakes and try my garlicky green beans – i make them on the grill in the summer – so good!
Marisa says
Thanks Jessica, for those suggestions! Both of those recipes sound great- I’ll let you know if I make them!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
orzo is pretty much my favorite pasta. i discovered it a couple years ago and love putting it in soups, salads, etc! this looks phenomenal!
EA-The Spicy RD says
That’s one beautiful bowl of veggies and orzo! Love how simple this is, and how it can be made with any variety of veggies and grains-yum!
Emily @ Zen & Spice says
I love orzo, and it always keep really well when you pack it for lunch! I recently made a orzo pasta with chopped tomatoes, onion, feta cheese and basil. There’s so many options to switch it up!
Marisa says
Ooh yum! I threw in some fresh basil in some of the leftovers and it was wonderful.
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
SO simple!! I love it. Except I never think to make orzo. ….which literally makes no sense and needs to change!
Taylor says
You had me at “lemon garlic.” This looks fantastic! I’ve been loving grain salads this summer and this one is being tacked on my list.
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
Love the bright colors in this dish!
Zelda . . . Life At The Table says
I just made this and it’s everything you promised and more….light, refreshing and vibrant !
Marisa says
Thank you, Zelda, for letting me know! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Cassie says
This looks so fresh and yummy… can you bring to me right now? K thanks.
Marisa says
That will cost ya a plane ticket ๐
Thomas Andrews says
Plane Ticket…
Well… Well… Well
I’ll Try To Cook It Myself.
Thanks for Sharing The Recipe Marisa.
Another DELICIOUS Visit to Your Blog ๐
Kyle M. says
Marisa, this dish was the center of a vegetarian feast I prepared with and for my family last night. Even the meat-eaters were impressed; it’s delicious! Thanks for your fantastic veg recipes and inspiration! Thinking of you from NY.
Marisa says
Thank you so much for trying my recipe, Kyle, and sharing your feedback! I am jealous of your vegetarian feast at the lake- I’ll be party crashing next time ๐ Glad to hear you’re well!