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.

Kale and Orzo Salad

• Author: Superman Cooks
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Cuisine: Italian

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Description

A light, healthy salad made with fresh, "super food" ingredients.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz dry orzo
• 2 oz roasted red pepper
• 2 C chopped Kale
• 10-12 cherry tomatoes
• 1 15 oz can of white beans (drained)
• 1 lemon
• ¼ C hard dry cheese (parmesan, romano), shaved
• ½ C olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

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Instructions

1. Cook and drain pasta according to box instructions.
2. In a mixing bowl add orzo, beans,and kale. Toss.
3. Rough chop the roasted red pepper and quarter cherry tomatoes and add to mixture.
4. Drizzle olive oil and mix until combined.
5. Salt and Pepper to taste.
6. Squeeze juice of one lemon onto salad and mix in.
7. Transfer to serving bowls and top with your favorite hard cheese.
8. This is great for up to 3 days if stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

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