Orzo Salad with Corn, Green Beans, and Tomatoes

Notes: You can assemble this colorful salad through step 5 up to 1 day ahead; cover and chill. For a shortcut, you can use 3 cups of frozen corn kernels, thawed, instead of the fresh corn. Prep and cook time: about 45 minutes.

Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1  pound  green beans
• 1 1/2  cups  dried orzo pasta (8 oz.)
• 3  ears fresh corn (10 to 14 oz. each; see notes)
• 1/2  cup  white wine vinegar
• 1/2  cup  extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2  cup  minced shallots
• 2  tablespoons  Dijon mustard
• 2  tablespoons  minced fresh tarragon or 2 teaspoons dried tarragon
• Salt and pepper
• 2  cups  cherry tomatoes (12 oz.), rinsed, stemmed, and cut in half

Preparation

1. In a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat, bring about 2 quarts water to a boil. Meanwhile, rinse green beans, trim off ends, and pull off any strings. Cut into 2- to 3-inch lengths. Add beans to boiling water and cook until barely tender to bite, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and immerse in ice water until cold; drain well.

2. Fill same pan with 2 1/2 to 3 quarts water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add orzo and cook until barely tender to bite, 8 to 11 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain well.

3. Meanwhile, husk corn, discarding silk; rinse ears. Holding each ear upright in a large, deep bowl, cut off kernels close to the cob.

4. To make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, shallots, mustard, tarragon, and salt and pepper to taste.

5. In a large, wide bowl, mix orzo with 1/2 cup of the dressing. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Spread level. Layer corn kernels, green beans, and tomatoes over pasta. Pour remaining dressing into a container. Cover and chill both salad and dressing until ready to serve.

6. Shortly before serving, pour three-fourths of the remaining dressing over salad and mix gently to blend. Add more dressing and salt and pepper to taste.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

296 (46% from fat)

Protein:

6.4g

Fat:

15g (sat 2.1)

Carbohydrate:

36g

Fiber:

3.2g

Sodium:

106mg

Cholesterol:

0.0mg