Cranberry Orzo Salad

Cranberry Orzo Salad

Thanksgiving season is here, and cranberries are calling my name.

I’m excited to join with Square Meal Round Table for an ingredient-based collaboration and show you this delicious salad that revolves around the sweet, tart flavors of fall’s best red friend. I’ve used fresh cranberries for this recipe, but it also works with frozen cranberries, making it perfect to enjoy all year. It’s also wonderfully adaptable; you can substitute white or brown rice in place of the orzo to make it gluten free, and if you can eat nuts (unlike me) you can use toasted almonds in place of the pepitas.

This works beautifully as a side salad, but it can also be front and center for your meal. Zingy citrus, tangy roasted cranberries, delicate pasta and some slightly crunchy pepitas all come together to make a satisfying #yesyoucranberry dish. Scroll down below the recipe to see what other folks are making with this season’s best and brightest berry. Many thanks to @squaremealroundtable and @whatannieseating for organizing this virtual Cranberry Fest!

roasting fresh cranberries

Cranberry Orzo Salad

ingredients for cranberry orzo salad

Ingredients
2 cups cooked orzo
1/2 cup fresh cranberries, halved
1 medium navel orange, peeled, seeded and cut into 1 inch chunks
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup pepitas (you can toast these if you’d like)
1/4 cup dried cranberries
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
salt and pepper to taste

Method
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Place sliced cranberries on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Roast for 20 minutes and set aside.
While the cranberries are roasting, place the cooked orzo into a large bowl and add orange chunks, red onion and lemon juice. The acidity of the lemon juice and orange will soften the bite of the red onion.
Next add the parsley and pepitas and thoroughly combine the ingredients.
Add the roasted cranberries, including any oil that remains on the baking sheet to the orzo bowl and stir again.
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil with honey and orange zest. Pour this dressing over the orzo and combine all ingredients. Season to your liking with salt and pepper.

If you make this and post it, tag me (@lalalunchbox) I’d love to see!

Cranberry Orzo Salad

Check out these other lovely accounts to see how they’re featuring cranberries!

everythingyouwanttoeat: https://everythingyouwanttoeat.blogspot.com/

SquareMealRoundTable: http://www.squaremealroundtable.com/recipes/cranberry-orange-streusel-pie

WhatAnniesEating: WhatAnniesEating.Com

RonnieVFein: http://www.ronniefein.com/blog/on-hanukkah-lets-not-forget-that-a-woman-played-a?rq=Cranberries

BeeAndTheBaker

rumblyinmytumbly:_www.rumblytumbly.com

Pieceoflovepastries: www.pieceoflovepastries.com

pricklyfresh: http://www.pricklyfresh.com/

floursinyourhair: www.floursinyourhair.com

Thehealthysins: www.thehealthysins.com

shortgirltallorder: https://shortgirltallorder.com/vegan-cranberry-orange-sweet-buns

aforkfulofyum: www.aforkfulofyum.com/http://aforkfulofyum.com/chocolate-cranberry-almond-bars/

Easy and Delish: https://www.easyanddelish.com/

siftandsimmer: https://www.siftandsimmer.com/white-chocolate-cranberry-cookies/

simpleandsweetfood: https://www.simpleandsweetfood.com

its_a_vegworld_afterall: www.itsavegworldafterall.com

my.recipe.addiction

occasionallyeggs: occasionallyeggs.com

annielcampbell: annie-campbell.com

Miminew: Https://www.theherbandspoon.com

cleanplateclb: www.cleanplateclb.com

fufuinthekitchen: https://fufuskitchen.com/cranberry-orange-biscotti/bavettemeat.com

holajalapeno: www.holajalapeno.com

joyosity: https://the-cooking-of-joy.blogspot.com/2016/12/cranberry-curd-tart.html

jessiesheehanbakes: https://www.jessiesheehanbakes.com/2017/12/06/cranberry-buckle/

whatskarencooking: whatskarencooking.com

Champagneandcookies: www.champagneandcookies.net

cooking.again:www.reencontrandomeconlacocina.wordpress.com

thebutterywhisk: www.stephaniesuen.com

wildflourchi:www.wildflourchi.com

lemonthymeandginger: www.lemonthymeandgigner.com

katherineinbrooklyn: www.katherineinbrooklyn.com

myberkeleykitchen: www.myberkeleykitchen.com

Ciao Chow Bambina: https://www.ciaochowbambina.com/cranberry-pecan-cracker-spread/

cosetteskitchen: https://www.cosetteskitchen.com

bakingthegoods: http://bakingthegoods.com/2017/11/13/cranberry-apple-brown-butter-crumble-pie/

thekitchensinkblog: www.thekitchensinkblog.com

justdatesyrup: www.justdatesyrup.com

katiebirdbakes: https://www.katiebirdbakes.com/cranberry-sauce-breakfast-rolls/

crumbtopbaking: https://www.crumbtopbaking.com/cranberry-orange-overnight-oatmeal-muffins/

thebakingfairy: http://www.thebakingfairy.net

tinykitchencapers: http://www.tinykitchencapers.com/white-chocolate-cranberry-oatmeal-cookies/

ChefDanielaGerson: https://wavesinthekitchen.com

sixsnippets

pieladybakes: https:/youcanliverichonless.com/cranberry-tarts/

ThePieous: Www.PiesAreAwesome.com

Bappy Girl: https://bappygirlyum.blogspot.com/