Memorial Day, Mediterranean-Style
Mediterranean Orzo Salad.
Shereen Pavlides dishes out Mediteranean Orzo Salad.
Shereen Pavlides cuts up the cheese and vegetables for the salad.
Mediteranean Orzo Salad is a perfect salad side dish to serve all summer long. .
Shereen Pavlides prepares a cucumber for the vegetable-filled salad.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Chef Shereen Pavlides stirs the pasta for Mediteranean Orzo Salad.
Sun shining, blue skies, lush, green grass, trees full of leaves, colorful flowers in bloom and warm weather. It’s here.
And summer is right around the corner. What I love most about summer, besides the amazing bright, vibrant and delicious Jersey produce, is grilling, and grilling all of what the Garden State provides us. Ladies, grilling is not just for the man of the house. We are fully capable of belting out some kickin’ barbecue too, (sorry fellas).
Although my recipe this month is not grilled, it does certainly pair perfectly with anything and everything grilled and you can make it a day ahead, which is great for entertaining on Memorial Day. Just double the recipe if hosting many guests; otherwise, this side dish is a keeper for your backyard weekend grilling all summer long.
A few years ago, while at the shore, my husband, Andreas, kept inviting friends over, impromptu. Not that I minded. I love company and I love entertaining but I found myself scrambling at the last minute to decide what to prepare until I came up with this side dish: Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad. Toss some steaks, chicken or burgers on the grill and call it a day. It’s colorful, flavorful and makes a gourmet presentation. The trick to making the orzo super flavorful is after you drain it, immediately dowse and toss with a good extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemons and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. That fruity, citrusy goodness seeps and soaks right in, then tossed with an array of colorful, crunchy vegetables, dill and creamy, barrel-aged feta, this pasta salad gets a modern makeover.
I later discovered Ina Garten does a similar orzo salad, adding shrimp to hers. Grilled shrimp mixed in and you got yourself a fresh and easy lunch or dinner any night of the week, too. Here’s to the beginning of summer. I know, I know, it’s not summer yet, but I just can’t wait. Summer makes me happy. Great food, refreshing cocktails and sharing it with family and friends is what life is all about.