This Simple Vegan Summer Orzo Salad recipe has grape tomatoes, fresh corn, green beans, and basil leaves. It's light and fresh-perfect for a picnic!
Where I Am Today
Happy Canada Day! I am not Canadian, but I have had an affinity for the fine country to our north ever since discovering Kids in the Hall at the tender age of 12. (I really shouldn't have been watching Kids in the Hall at the tender age of 12.) And also, Happy 4th of July a few days early because I'm taking Thursday off. I'm going to spend the day celebrating America by throwing bang snaps on the driveway while chanting "USA! USA!" This is the freedom that our founding fathers envisioned when they sailed over on the Santa Maria so many years ago.
Last year, I was eagerly anticipating July 4th because I'd have time off from the job I hated. And then a month later, when I was laid off, I felt completely crushed, despite the fact that I had daydreamed about quitting for a good year or so. Since it's almost a year since I started blogging full-time, I've been thinking about that a lot lately-where I was a year ago vs. where I am today. And even where I am today vs. where I was a few years ago. I went from being a librarian and planning on getting a second master's or PhD to running a food blog for a living. I'm sure to most rational people, that sounds like a terrible, terrible decision, on par with, "I think I'm going to quit my job as an accountant and start a reggae band," but I feel like I'm finally able to express a creativity that was always just under the surface, but I never quite had an outlet for.
4th of July
Back on topic: 4th of July! I don't have cake topped with Cool-Whip and berries arranged to form the American flag for you today, but I do have a light Simple Vegan Summer Orzo Salad recipe. It can easily be doubled or tripled, so it's perfect for bringing to your next summer get-together. Every summer get-together needs a pasta salad, right? It also makes a great main dish when you need something easy for dinner. With the hot weather we've been having here, I've been craving light, fresh meals like this.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz orzo
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed
- 2 ears corn, kernels removed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup torn basil leaves
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook orzo according to package. Two minutes before cooking time is done, add green beans to pot. Drain in a fine mesh colander and rinse with cold water.
- Transfer orzo and green beans to a large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition (estimated per serving)
This post was originally published on 1 July 2013.
Joy // For the Love of Leaves says
I was just thinking yesterday that I should make a pasta this week and bam! One appears before my eyes. Love it! I also made your mushroom lentil burgers this week so good!
Kiersten says
Yay, I'm glad you liked the burgers! 😀
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
I LOVE orzo! Will definitely be making this!
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
Can I just say that your pictures are GORG! This looks like a perfect side dish for the 4th. I've actually never cooked orzo, but that can definitely change. Yumm!
Kiersten says
Orzo is easy peasy! It's pasta, so you just boil it in water and it's done. 🙂
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
You make the prettiest food! And it is always simple, too! SUCH a win-win :).
Kiersten says
Sometimes I feel like I need to make more elaborate dishes, but as a cook, I like easy. 🙂
Julia says
It's so much more satisfying to do the things you love versus the get-up-go-to-work routine for a job you aren't passionate about. You should be so proud of yourself for how far you've come in just one year! This orzo salad is gorgeous and looks perfect for a 4th of July barbecue!
Kiersten says
Thank you! There are definitely times when I miss being able to work a mindless job and then come home after 8 hours and think about other things, but overall blogging is definitely worth it! 🙂
Martina says
I'm so impressed with people who take big risks in life - leaving mainstream work behind to do something you love and dream about is not only admirable it's downright impressive! Hats off to you!
Martina
Kiersten says
I would really never peg myself as someone to do something like that, but after I lost my job, I felt like I had nothing to lose. Because, you know, I already lost my job. 🙂
dixya| food, pleasure, and health says
i have never tried orzo before but this recipe is perfect for summer 🙂
Caitlin says
reading things like this always make me contemplate making a huge change in my life. thanks for the words of wisdom and happy canada day/4th of july!
Kiersten says
I am not a leap of faith type of person, so I totally get that hesitation to make big changes. But sometimes you do need to take that leap of faith and just go for it. I'd hate to think where I'd be if, instead of giving this full-time blogging thing a chance, I just went onto the next dead-end job. It's important to be realistic and have a back-up plan (I set a deadline for myself--if in 4 months, I wasn't matching what I was making before I got laid off, I would look for another job), but if you have a chance to pursue your passion, you should take it. (Oh man, I feel like this sounds so sappy and motivational speaker-y. My apologies.)
Christina @ Pinch of Healthy says
I think it is so great that you followed your dreams, even if it was scary at the time. I always say anything is possible so long as you have the passion and drive to back it up, which you clearly have!
Kiersten says
Thank you! I never would have quit my job on my own, so I definitely needed that push out the door. 🙂
Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie} says
Love the colors in this!
JulieD says
First, this is so beautiful and it screams summer! I have been reflecting on the last year too...it's amazing, isn't it? And at the same time crazy and surreal...glad to be able to call you my friend. Soooo soo glad you emailed me last summer! xoxo
Kiersten says
Yes, it's so nice to know someone who's going through the same process! I remember how absolutely freaked out I felt when I got laid off. It was the push I needed to make this happen, but it was still so scary.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love orzo salad, this is so perfect for summer entertaining!
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
This looks beautiful! I was crazy addicted to Kids in the Hall too 🙂 I even had a strange dream here Scott was asking me out and I kept asking "Aren't you gay?"
Kiersten says
WOO HOO! I knew I liked you for a reason! 😀 I still get "The Terrier Song" stuck in my head once in a while.
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
Confession: I've never made orzo. Real talk: I'm going to make this ASAP!
polly kohler says
I always look forward to your blog. The recipes, the photos and your musings are like sitting on a big wrap-around porch, looking out at a garden, visiting with a friend.
Kiersten says
Aw, thank you! 🙂
Rachel Cooks says
These photos just SCREAM summer! Love them, and the salad.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
So summery and beautiful, Kiersten.
Katie (The Muffin Myth) says
Happy Canada Day to you too! What a difference a year can make, eh? I was thinking about where I was a year ago, and where I am today thanks largely to blogging. Your changed life and mine seem pretty different, but we've both got blogging to thank and I think that's pretty cool. I'm co-hosting a Canada Day / 4th of July BBQ this week for my expat friends in Stockholm, and this salad looks like it would be a big hit. Thanks for another great recipe! Enjoy your freedom 🙂
Kiersten says
Isn't it funny how something that seems so inconsequential can have such an impact on your life? I never thought anything would come of starting a blog and I definitely never thought, "Hey, I'm going to do this and then it will be my job someday in the future!" Because that's just craziness.
kum says
I often cook with quinoa, but I have not yet tried orzo.
Orzo salad looks so YUM, AND it's VEGAN!
Blog : Global vegan fare
Kiersten says
Orzo is so good, you will love it! It's a rice-shaped pasta, so it's perfect for pasta salads. 🙂
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I'd say based on the look of this salad and how gorgeous your pictures are, that you have found your calling. 🙂 I also love the way you plan to celebrate the 4th, hilarious!
Kiersten says
Thank you! And I really do want to buy some bang snaps, but I'm sure the neighbors would think I'm crazy (or even more than they already do). It's just so satisfying to throw tiny little explosives on the ground.
Judit + Corina @WineDineDaily says
We both love orzo and your delicious recipe is just perfect for summer! Your photos are beautiful and we are so glad that you are able to do what you love 🙂
J+C
Kiersten says
Thank you! Me too! 😀
Jackie @ The Beeroness says
I was JUST trying to find an orzo summer salad recipe a few days ago, this one looks perfect.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
How absolutely gaw-geous! This is so summery, easy and pretty I can't even handle it. Must. make. now.
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I want a big bowl of this one right now. These photos are so pretty!
Suzanne says
Thanks for the Canadian love! The salad looks delicious!