Kale and Orzo Salad with Roasted Peppers

Our kale and orzo salad is a light and healthy take on classic pasta salad. It combines fresh, wholesome ingredients that compliment each other perfectly. This recipe is right up Jackie’s alley; she loves kale and is always asking me to use it in different ways. I’m still warming up to this leafy green vegetable, but it’s difficult to ignore its “super food” properties.We love a good trip to Whole Foods (or “whole paycheck” as we lovingly refer to it at times). I could spend hours walking up and down the isles admiring the beautifully colored produce and interesting product offerings. As I was perusing the deli case one day, I noticed a pasta salad made with kale and filed it in the back of my mind as an idea for my kale-loving girl. Now that summer produce is at its peak, it was time to create this salad for her.I chose orzo pasta for its texture and lightness. I wanted this salad to rely heavily on vegetables, not pasta. I added white beans for extra protein (we’re trying to eat less meat these days), and I roasted some beautiful fresh peppers for a burst of flavor. Some plump cherry tomatoes, grated parmesan, and a hit of fresh lemon juice and olive oil brought it all together.I love this salad because it is easy to make and packed full of healthy, nutritional ingredients. We gobbled it down, felt very satisfied, and had zero guilt. My girl is happy. Now I have to find more things to make with this pesky green vegetable.

 

Print