Get ready to savor this laid-back, fun, and oh-so-delicious Corn Orzo Salad. This colorful medley is like sunshine in a bowl, featuring orzo pasta, crisp lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, cool cucumber, sweet corn, and zesty lemon vinaigrette. It’s the perfect recipe to kick back and keep things simple and fresh.

Ingredients:

For the Corn Orzo Salad:

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups mixed lettuce (pick your favorites)
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)

For the Lemon Vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4-6

Step 1: Cook the Orzo (10 minutes)

1. Boil a pot of salted water, toss in the orzo, and cook it according to the package instructions, usually about 7-9 minutes until it’s just right. Don’t forget to give it a little stir now and then to keep things from getting clumpy.
2. Drain the orzo in a colander and rinse it under cold water to cool it down. Set it aside while we work on the rest of the salad.

Step 2: Whip Up the Lemon Vinaigrette (5 minutes)

1. In a small bowl, whip together the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. This tangy vinaigrette is going to make your salad zing.

Step 3: Toss It All Together (10 minutes)

1. Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in the cooked and cooled orzo, mixed lettuce, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, and sweet corn kernels.
2. Pour the lemon vinaigrette all over the salad and give it a gentle toss to make sure everything’s getting that tangy goodness evenly spread around.

Step 4: Chill and Get Ready (Immediate Gratification!)

1. Pop your salad in the fridge for around 30 minutes to let all those amazing flavors mix and mingle.
2. Just before serving, you can add an extra sprinkling of black pepper or a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil for that final touch of deliciousness.

Step 5: Dive In (Immediate Gratification!)

1. Dish out heaping helpings of this vibrant Corn Orzo Salad. Each bite is like a little taste of summer, with the cool crunch of cucumber, the juiciness of cherry tomatoes, and that zesty lemon vinaigrette dancing around.
2. It’s a wonderful dish for any summer occasion, whether it’s a relaxed dinner on the patio, a picnic in the park, or a simple side for a barbecue.
3. So, kick back, dig in, and celebrate the season with this easy-breezy salad. It’s all about enjoying the moment and savoring the flavors of summer. Happy eating!