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Crispy prosciutto and orzo salad in a white square serving dish with a bowl of pesto, peas and spinach pasta salad, and platter of cajun wings in the background.

Crispy Prosciutto and Orzo Salad

By: Deborah
Fresh and vibrant orzo salad with crispy prosciutto, herbs and rocket. A versatile light, flavour-packed recipe perfect for a starter, lunch, picnics or summer dinners. 
PREP: 5 minutes
COOK: 15 minutes
TOTAL: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 100 g (3.5 oz) prosciutto slices
  • 2 tsp and 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 350 g (2 ⅓ cups) orzo
  • cooking salt
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • juice of half a lemon plus additional wedges to serve
  • a bunch of fresh parsley roughly chopped
  • 120 g (4.2 oz) rocket leaves roughly chopped
  • 2 balls mozzarella drained and torn

Instructions

  • Preheat the grill to high.   Place the slices of prosciutto on a baking tray and drizzle them with the 2 tsp of extra virgin olive oil and grill for 2 to 4 minutes, until crispy.   Every grill is different, so keep an eye on it!
  • Meanwhile, cook the orzo according to packet instructions in salted boiling water.   Drain and rinse with cold water until cooled.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold orzo, remaining 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, a generous pinch of salt and pepper, lemon juice, chopped parsley and rocket.   Stir to combine.
  • Either plate up in individual bowls, topped with torn pieces of mozzarella, lemon wedges and torn pieces of crispy prosciutto, or transfer it to a large serving bowl.   Garnish with some more freshly ground black pepper and enjoy!

Notes

  • Optional variations:
    • Feta and orzo salad - swap the mozzarella for crumbled feta cheese.
    • Chicken and orzo salad - swap the crispy prosciutto for pieces of grilled chicken.
    • Roasted vegetable version - replace the crispy prosciutto and mozzarella with roasted vegetables like peppers, tomatoes and courgettes.
    • Pesto orzo salad - mix 2 tbsp of basil pesto through the orzo, parsley and rocket.
    • Spicy chilli prosciutto version - mix freshly chopped red chilli or chilli flakes through the orzo.
  • This crispy prosciutto and orzo salad recipe is easily adapted if you’re cooking for less or more people (the photos are half the recipe).

 

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Nutrition

Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 122mg | Potassium: 244mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 484IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

KEYWORDS crispy prosciutto salad, date night, easy orzo recipes, light lunch recipes, Mediterranean orzo salad, orzo salad recipe, pasta salad recipes, picnic salad ideas, prosciutto and orzo salad, special dinner, summer salad recipes UK, Valentine's meal
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