Orzo Pasta Salad

1:13 PM Unknown 0 Comments

This by far has to be my favorite pasta salad recipe.

It is definitely a crowd pleaser.
It is the perfect amount of sweet and spicy.

I found the recipe here a couple of years ago and have been making it every since.

Ingredients:

3 c uncooked orzo pasta
1 each yellow, red and green bell peppers, chopped
1 jalapeno chili, de-seeded and de-veined to reduce heat, chopped
1 Serrano chili, de-seeded and de-veined to reduce heat, chopped
1/2 c golden raisins
1/2 c dried cranberries
1/2 c chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 small red onion, chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste

Vinaigrette:
1/3 c red wine vinegar
1/2 c chopped cilantro
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tbs brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2/3 c olive oil

Cook the orzo following the package instructions. While the orzo is cooking I prepare the other ingredients. I make sure to cut up all of the peppers uniformly. Once I have tossed all of the ingredients together, I prepare the vinaigrette. After mixing the pasta salad with the vinaigrette I put the entire mixture in a container with a lid and I put it in the fridge for a couple hours.

This pasta salad is perfect for picnics and cookouts. You do not have to worry about it spoiling because there is no mayo. It is perfect for making a day or two in advance as well. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think.