Orzo Salad

This simple and speedy salad is easily thrown together with just a few flavorful ingredients at home.

Ingredients

1/2 cup dry orzo

1 15 oz. can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup olives

1/2 English cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced

1 cup sweet peppers, chopped

2 scallions, finely chopped

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup fresh curly leaf parsley, chopped

1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped

1/4 cup toasted unsalted nuts. I used sliced almonds

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for the orzo)

Dressing

6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp lemon juice, or as needed

Salt, to taste

Directions

1. Cook orzo until al dente.

2. Drain, toss with 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and let cool completely in a large bowl

3. For the dressing, whisk extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, until combined and set aside.

4. To the bowl with the orzo, add chickpeas, olives, cucumber, sweet peppers, scallions, cherry tomatoes, parsley, mint, toasted almonds.

5. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently to coat.