Saffron Orzo Pasta Salad

Serves 4 - Cook in 30 minutes

Ingredients

Saffron Orzo Pasta Salad
- 280g Orzo pasta
- 6 cups low-salt chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon of saffron
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium red onion, finely diced
- 90g black oil-cured olives, sliced
- 112g fresh mozzarella, diced
- 220g canned chickpeas, drained and washed
- 18g cup sun-dried tomatoes, under oil, drained, and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
- 15g fresh parsley, finely chopped

Vinaigrette
- 142g Extra-virgin olive oil
- 76g white balsamic vinegar
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Preparation

Step 1

Begin by bringing 6 cups of chicken stock to boil. In a small mixing bowl, combine the saffron with 2 tablespoons of hot chicken stock and stir. Add the saffron mix to the chicken stock and stir well. Add the orzo to the boiling chicken stock and stir, allowing it to cook for 7-10 minutes.

Step 2

Drain the orzo, transfer into a serving bowl, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of Extra-virgin olive oil, and set aside. In a bowl, mix together the red bell pepper and mozzarella, and set aside. In another bowl mix the sliced olives with the drained and rinsed canned chickpeas. Prepare your vinaigrette: combine balsamic vinegar, Extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Add the diced onions to the vinaigrette and marinate for 5 minutes.

Step 3

Transfer all the ingredients into the orzo (red bell pepper, black olives, chickpeas, and sun-dried tomatoes) and mix well. Add the vinaigrette and toss well to coat evenly. Before serving add the Parmigiano-Reggiano and fresh parsley. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate for later use. Buon Appetito!