Tender shrimp and rice-shaped orzo pasta with peas, asparagus, and sugar snap peas, tossed with fresh herbs and lemon dressing.
Prep Time30 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr
Servings: 4
Author: Adapted from Southern Living Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing
Ingredients
1/4cupextra-virgin olive oil
1teaspoonlemon zest plus 3 Tbsp. fresh juicefrom 1 large lemon
1teaspoonkosher salt
1/2teaspoonblack pepper
1cupuncooked orzo
8ouncesfresh asparagustrimmed and diagonally sliced into 1-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
4ouncesfresh sugar snap peastrimmed (about 1 cup)
1cupfresh or frozen peasthawed if frozen
12ouncesmedium peeleddeveined raw shrimp
1/4cupcoarsely chopped fresh chives
1/4cupcoarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4cupcoarsely chopped fresh tarragon
4radishes thinly sliced
Instructions
Whisk together, or shake in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid; oil, zest, juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
Cook orzo according to package directions then drain. Place orzo in a large bowl and let cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
While orzo cooks, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat.
Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with cold water and a few cups of ice.
If the peas are frozen, place them in a strainer and run under hot water for about 30 seconds to partially thaw.
Add asparagus and sugar snap peas to boiling water. Cook until bright green and tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Add peas, and stir until softened, about 30 seconds. In order to reserve the boiling water, use a slotted spoon or small metal strainer with a handle to transfer vegetables to the ice bath. Add a little more ice to the ice bath to help cool vegetables.
Add shrimp to boiling water. Cook until opaque, about 3 minutes.. The shrimp may not look done but they will be! Transfer shrimp to ice bath with vegetables. Let stand until chilled, about 10 minutes; then drain well.
Add the shrimp-vegetable mixture to the orzo, along with radishes, and chopped herbs, tossing well to combine. Drizzle with the desired amount of dressing. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Pass any additional dressing with the salad.
Notes
You can get creative and add other vegetables like halved cherry tomatoes, green or black olives, chopped peppers, or anything else that sounds good in a pasta salad. You can also vary the herbs by using dill, basil, oregano, etc...