Orzo Salad with Chickpeas & Artichoke Hearts

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup orzo, or other tiny pasta

  • 1 ½ teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 clove garlic, crushed and peeled

  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

  • 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice

  • ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

  • 1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

  • 1 7-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed

  • ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

  • 1 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh mint

  • 1 large tomato, chopped

  • 2 cups baby spinach leaves

Directions

  1. Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Cook orzo until just tender, about 9 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool. Press to remove excess water. Transfer to a medium bowl and toss with oil.

  2. Mash garlic and salt into a paste with the back of a spoon in a medium bowl. Whisk in lemon juice and pepper. Add the cooked orzo, artichokes, chickpeas, feta, dill and mint; toss gently to combine. Add tomatoes and toss again.

  3. Divide spinach between 2 plates and top with the salad.