Simple Vegan Summer Orzo Salad

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.

Simple Vegan Summer Orzo Salad

A simple summer pasta salad made with orzo, grape tomatoes, fresh corn, and green beans.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings as main dish or about 6 servings as a side

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 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup torn basil leaves
• salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. 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.
2. Transfer orzo and green beans to a large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste.

This post was originally published on 1 July 2013.