Salmon and Kale Orzo Salad
Description
This pasta salad with kale and smoked salmon is a lovely twist on traditional orzo salad. If you can't find riotta salata you can substitute feta cheese.
Ingredients
•
1 pound uncooked orzo pasta
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3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
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2 cups kale leaves, stems removed
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1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
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1/2 cup dried cherries
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1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
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3 tablespoons lemon juice
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1 1/2 teaspoons salt
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1 teaspoon ground black pepper
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4 ounces smoked salmon, flaked
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3 ounces ricotta salata
Directions
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add orzo and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and transfer onto a large baking sheet. Drizzle orzo with 3 tablespoons olive oil, toss, spread out, and set aside to cool, about 30 minutes.
2
Once the orzo is cool, transfer to a large serving bowl. Set aside.
3
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Blanch kale in the boiling water for about 30 seconds. Drain off water from kale and submerge in a bowl of ice water. Drain and blot dry.
4
Add kale to orzo along with 1/4 cup olive oil, dried cherries, pine nuts, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to combine. Top with flaked salmon. Shave ricotta salata cheese on top and serve immediately.