This vibrant, flavorful salad is filled with fresh fruit and crunchy lettuce all drizzled with homemade vinaigrette!
Feeds 2 adults; 1 toddler
You know that infamous Panera Bread salad that everyone talks about? This was influenced by that. But in true salad form, it's mostly random things that were in the fridge with bit of a twist with the crispy orzo. I'm not going to tell you how to wash fruit and veg and slice it for a salad. I will, however, tell you how to make crispy orzo (which is fab in salads!) and a delicious poppyseed white wine vinaigrette.
I made the vinaigrette on a whim one afternoon and it was sitting in a jar in my cupboard for weeks before I finally found something to drizzle it on. This salad is hearty enough for a quick lunch and it's filling enough to be a main course all on its own, which is how we ate it. There were a bit of leftovers too that got wrapped in a tortilla the following day with a fresh and healthy twist on a burrito.
Romaine lettuce and baby spinach leaves
Pineapple chunks
Mandarin oranges
Cucumber
Gluten free Orzo pasta
Chicken
For the Poppyseed White Wine Vinaigrette
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp poppy seeds
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
6 tbsp sesame oil
pinch of sugar
1. For the crispy orzo, parboil orzo according to the instructions on the packet. Be sure to under cook it by about half the time state on the packet.
2. Drain the orzo and pat dry.
3. Fry off the orzo in a bit of oil until it's just crispy. Allow to cool before tossing in with the salad.
4. For the vinaigrette, whisk together the oil and the vinegar, blend well.
5. Season the oil and vinegar with salt and a bit of sugar.
6. Whisk in the lemon juice and the poppy seeds and decant to a jar.
The vinaigrette should last at least a month. You'll have to give it a good stir or shake before serving as the components will have settled.
You know that infamous Panera Bread salad that everyone talks about? This was influenced by that. But in true salad form, it's mostly random things that were in the fridge with bit of a twist with the crispy orzo. I'm not going to tell you how to wash fruit and veg and slice it for a salad. I will, however, tell you how to make crispy orzo (which is fab in salads!) and a delicious poppyseed white wine vinaigrette.
I made the vinaigrette on a whim one afternoon and it was sitting in a jar in my cupboard for weeks before I finally found something to drizzle it on. This salad is hearty enough for a quick lunch and it's filling enough to be a main course all on its own, which is how we ate it. There were a bit of leftovers too that got wrapped in a tortilla the following day with a fresh and healthy twist on a burrito.
Ingredients:
For the Strawberry and Sesame SaladRomaine lettuce and baby spinach leaves
Pineapple chunks
Mandarin oranges
Cucumber
Gluten free Orzo pasta
Chicken
For the Poppyseed White Wine Vinaigrette
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp poppy seeds
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
6 tbsp sesame oil
pinch of sugar
Instructions:
Strawberry and Sesame Salad with Poppyseed White Wine Vinaigrette1. For the crispy orzo, parboil orzo according to the instructions on the packet. Be sure to under cook it by about half the time state on the packet.
2. Drain the orzo and pat dry.
3. Fry off the orzo in a bit of oil until it's just crispy. Allow to cool before tossing in with the salad.
4. For the vinaigrette, whisk together the oil and the vinegar, blend well.
5. Season the oil and vinegar with salt and a bit of sugar.
6. Whisk in the lemon juice and the poppy seeds and decant to a jar.
The vinaigrette should last at least a month. You'll have to give it a good stir or shake before serving as the components will have settled.
This is fantastic!! So many wonderful #flavorlayers. I really love Orzo pasta, and might even try this with quinoa! Your pictures look good enough to eat, thanks for this one Anyonita, its definitely #fitnessfriendly.
ReplyDeleteI love the dressing combo you came up with. I might be missing something, but I don't see the amount of vinegar in the ingredients. The Crispy #Orzo really caught my eye. Along with the #chicken and #strawberries, this is a winner dish! Thanks Anyonita!
ReplyDeleteI saw your salad over at the Kitchen Chopped and had to stop in. This looks great! I love the addition of orzo. oh, and strawberry, oh and pineapple... oh, just the whole thing looks amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteOh this looks fantastic! I've never really put fruit in my salad, but this combo looks so tasty! I love using sesame oil and that vinaigrette sounds heavenly.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so fresh and delicious! I have never crisped orzo before, can't wait to try that!
ReplyDelete