Salmon and Orzo Herb Salad

Ingredients (salad):

  • 1½ cups orzo pasta

  • 2 cucumber, chopped

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, chopped

  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled

  • ⅓ cup red onion, chopped

  • ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives

  • 1 cup fresh basil and/or parsley

  • 1 cup red or yellow pepper, chopped

  • Freshly ground black pepper

Ingredients (dressing): 

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano, more for sprinkling

  • ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • ½ teaspoon sea salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the orzo and toss it with a little olive oil, so that it doesn’t stick together. Lay it on a baking sheet to cook.

  2.  Prepare the dressing and whisk the ingredients together well.

  3.  In a large bowl, toss together the cooked orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, feta, red onion, and olives. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, add half the herbs, season with freshly ground black pepper, and toss to coat. Garnish with the remaining herbs and serve with grilled salmon.