Orzo Pasta Salad

My sister Sarah makes this fantastic salad whenever we have a party or family get-together. Even though I usually despise olives of any kind, I absolutely love how they lend this salad a great zesty flavor.

Orzo Pasta Salad

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta

1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes

1/2 cup boiling water

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 lemon, juiced and zested

1/2 cup kalamata olives

1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Procedure

1. Fill a pot with lightly salted water and bring to a roiling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the orzo, and return to a boil.Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.

2. Place the sun-dried tomatoes into the boiling water in a bowl, and let stand for 10 minutes to plump up. Drain off excess water.

3. Toss the cooked orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, olives, parsley, and feta cheese together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.