Orzo Salad

Orzo Salad
Giadia De Laurentis recipe

serves 6

Ingredients

Orzo Salad:

4 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups orzo
1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups red and yellow teardrop tomatoes or grap tomatoes, halved
3/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
About 3/4 cup Red Wine Vinaigrette, recipe follows
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
Pour the broth into a heavy large saucepan. Cover the pan and bring the broth to a boil over high heat. Stir in the orzo. Cover partially and cook until the orzo is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes. Drain the orzo through a strainer. Transfer the orzo to a large wide bowl and toss until the orzo cools slightly. Set aside to cool completely.

Toss the orzo with the beans, tomatoes, onion, basil, mint and enough vinaigrette to coat. Season the salad, to tase, with salt and peper, and serve at room temperature.

Red Wine Vinaigrette
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cups fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 cup extra virgin olive oil

Mix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desire.

Yields: 1 3/4 cups)