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    Home » Food

    Orzo Cucumber Salad with Mint and Oregano

    LAST UPDATED: February 12, 2019 PUBLISHED: September 7, 2009 By Pam Greer 21 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Remember back when I pledged to buy no more cookbooks? Well, I am proud to say that I have stuck to my pledge. Since I have no new treats to look through, I am starting to spend time perusing old favorites, and those books that I just had to have, but then managed to never cook from. The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs was one of those books.

    Have you seen this book, or looked through it? It's not a cookbook, it's really what it says it is, a flavor bible. A place to go to see what goes with what. I've been wanting to be a little more creative and loose with my cooking and this book allows you to do that, with a few helpful guidelines. Wanting to make some sort of side dish using cucumbers, I looked them up in the book. One of the pairings suggested was: cucumbers, garlic, mint, oregano, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. Sounded good to me, so I took those ingredients, added some pasta, and had this lovely pasta salad!

    Orzo Cucumber Salad with Mint and Oregano
    Serves 4

    1 cup orzo
    1 clove garlic, minced
    ¼ cup mint, chopped
    ¼ cup oregano, chopped
    2 cups diced cucumbers
    ¼ cup olive oil
    2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    salt and pepper to taste

    Cook orzo pure directions and drain. Mince garlic and add to bowl. Spoon hot orzo over the garlic, to cook the garlic a bit. Let it sit, while you chop the herbs and cucumbers. Add the herbs and cucumbers to the orzo. Pour over the olive oil and vinegar (you can whisk it to an emulsion first if you'd like, I usually don't bother). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.

    This herby pasta salad will be my entry for this week's Presto Pasta Nights hosted by Rachel at The Crispy Cook.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisa says

      September 14, 2009 at 5:25 am

      This sounds wonderful and your photo is just gorgeous! I will have to try this. It would work perfectly with so many different things.

      Reply
    2. The Food Hunter says

      September 13, 2009 at 10:08 pm

      Great combo of flavors. I've got to make this one.

      Reply
    3. claire says

      September 13, 2009 at 5:06 am

      My husband is a chef and he adores The Flavor Bible (which was the first book giveaway I ever entered and surprisingly won, for him). 😀

      Reply
    4. girlichef says

      September 10, 2009 at 1:24 am

      This sounds absolutely delicious...I love the fresh flavors!

      Reply
    5. Chef Fresco says

      September 09, 2009 at 2:54 am

      I love this combination! Looks so delicious.

      Reply
    6. My Carolina Kitchen says

      September 08, 2009 at 10:47 am

      Lovely salad Pam. I'm starting to use orzo more and more.

      I admire your pledge not to buy any new cookbooks. I couldn't do it, but it is fun to look through old ones you have and discover dishes you never noticed before.
      Sam

      Reply
    7. a good yarn says

      September 08, 2009 at 8:30 am

      I like this combination - zingy and fresh. Definitely worth a try.

      Reply
    8. Grace says

      September 08, 2009 at 9:48 am

      stay strong, pam!
      i have to say, that does sound like a delightful blend of ingredients. good thinking, combining them into a pasta salad.

      Reply
    9. Brentwood Kitchen Shopper says

      September 08, 2009 at 5:29 am

      Looks great! It'll be a perfect part of my new diet!

      Reply
    10. haleysuzanne says

      September 08, 2009 at 3:19 am

      I have made a salad similar to this using rice, but I think orzo would really lend it a beautiful texture. Great idea!

      Reply
    11. Ruth Daniels says

      September 07, 2009 at 10:48 pm

      It does sound like a great book if this recipe is an example. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.

      Reply
    12. Rachel says

      September 07, 2009 at 9:40 pm

      This sounds really refreshing. Thanks for sending a bowl over to Pasta Presto Nights!

      Reply
    13. Kim says

      September 07, 2009 at 4:07 pm

      Hi Pam! Congrats to you- you won the "pitch your own food network show" contest over on my blog. Please email me at tony.tracy@att.net with your address so I can mail you your goodies. I loved the idea of using an herb and making a three course meal with it. And, I've been wanting the flavor bible - looks great!

      Reply
    14. La Table De Nana says

      September 07, 2009 at 2:58 pm

      For my part..I find green and white totally appetizing! I don't have that book..I think it's fun to get inspired and try and find new in old:) I do!

      Reply
    15. Marjie says

      September 07, 2009 at 5:50 pm

      It is lovely! I am convinced that a good deal of how food tastes is how it looks.

      Reply
    16. Joanne says

      September 07, 2009 at 1:05 pm

      This is definitely a classic combination of ingredients. The mint and vinegar must do so much to flavor the cucumbers.

      I love that you are experimenting more! The flavor bible is definitely a great way to start. I've been pining for one of those, but I've been trying to restrain as well.

      Reply
    17. MangoChild says

      September 07, 2009 at 12:17 pm

      This looks quite tasty, and I bet it would work with a lot of different grains too....

      Reply
    18. shabby girl says

      September 07, 2009 at 3:18 pm

      Ooo, that sounds refreshing. I don't usually think to use orzo, but we really like it. This looks like a great warm autumn dish!

      Reply
    19. Tins and Treasures says

      September 07, 2009 at 3:04 pm

      As always, your food looks delicious. Maybe I'll try this, as I have a whole basket of cucumbers. Happy Labor Day ~Natalie

      Reply
    20. Antoinette says

      September 07, 2009 at 2:54 pm

      Delicious.... must try.

      Reply
    21. noble pig says

      September 07, 2009 at 2:04 pm

      I like the idea of mint and oregano, I don't think I've ever tasted that combo.

      Reply

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