Orzo and Goat Cheese Salad

by Matty Matheson

This is a tasty Mediterranean shovel-fest salad. Have this with some grilled chicken or lamb chops. Holy cow shit. Orzo is white hot. You’ll see; you are ahead of the curve. You will be the most fantastic kids at the function. Whoever pulls up with the orzo and goat cheese salad is going to be bringing something. Orzo’s gone full circle. Does anyone even care about orzo? HELLO, does anyone care about orzo salads?

Method

Based on 2 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo until it’s al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it cool completely.

Step 2

Heat a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Toss the zucchini with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil(if cooking for 2) and season with salt and pepper. Cook the zucchini on the cut side until lightly charred and tender. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the lemon juice, mustard, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. In a large bowl, combine the cooled orzo, charred zucchini, and cherry tomatoes.

Step 4

Gently fold in the crumbled goat cheese, reserving a small amount for garnish. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss everything together to coat the ingredients evenly. Add the basil, tarragon (or chives), and parsley, and reserved goat cheese. Finish with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper.

  • Ingredients
  • Based on 2 servings
  • 6tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1x Sainsbury's Olive Oil, Extra Virgin 1L
  • 1tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice 1x Sainsbury's Lemons
  • Malson Salt, to taste, or kosher salt 1x Maldon Sea Salt Flakes 250g
  • 1 Garlic Clove, minced 1x Sainsbury's Garlic
  • Freshly Cracked Black Pepper to taste. 1x Sainsbury's Black Peppercorn Grinder 50g
  • 2 tbsp Parsley 1x Sainsbury's Fresh Packed Flat Leaf Parsley 30g
  • 190g Dried Orzo Pasta 1x Sainsbury's Orzo Pasta, Taste the Difference 500g
  • 1 Zucchini (courgette), cut into ¼-inch halved coins 1x Sainsbury's Courgettes Loose
  • 1tsp Dijon Mustard 1x Sainsbury's Dijon Mustard 185g
  • 150g Cherry Tomatoes, halved 1x Sainsbury's Baby Plum Tomatoes 325g
  • 85g Goat Cheese, crumbled 1x Chavroux La Buche Goats Cheese 150g
  • 2 tbsp Basil Leaves, chopped 1x Sainsbury's Fresh Packed Basil 30g
  • 2 tbsp Tarragon, chopped 1x Sainsbury's Fresh Packed Tarragon 20g
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