salmon and kale orzo salad

Recipes
Image Salmon

Salmon and Kale Orzo Salad

This recipe is a twist on a salad from Giada de Laurentiis.

Ingredients

  1. 1 pound uncooked orzo pasta
  2. 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  3. 2 cups kale leaves, stems removed
  4. ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  5. ½ cup dried cherries
  6. ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
  7. 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  8. 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  9. 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  10. 4 ounces smoked salmon, flaked
  11. 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.