Whole-Wheat Orzo Salad with Broccoli-Pine Nut Pesto

(from kylerhea’s recipe box)

Source: Wholeliving

Serves 6 people

Categories: April2013, Avocado, Broccoli, Pasta, Pine nuts, Salads

Ingredients

  • Fine-grained sea salt
  • 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat orzo
  • 5 cups broccoli florets and thinly sliced stems
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 2/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup creme fraiche
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season generously with salt, add orzo, and cook according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain well again.

  2. Meanwhile, cook the broccoli. Bring 3/4 cup water to a boil in a large pot. Add a big pinch of salt and stir in the broccoli. Cover and cook for 1 minute until bright green but still slightly crunchy. Drain the broccoli in a strainer and run under cold water to stop the cooking. Drain well and set aside.

  3. Make the pesto: Combine 2 cups of the cooked broccoli, garlic, three-quarters of the pine nuts, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice in a food processor. Drizzle in olive oil and creme fraiche and pulse until smooth.

  4. Toss orzo and remaining cooked broccoli florets with about two-thirds of the broccoli pesto and the lemon zest. Thin with a bit of warm water to desired consistency. Adjust seasoning by adding more salt, lemon juice, or pesto as desired. Fold in avocado. Serve topped with remaining pine nuts.

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