Grilled Corn Orzo Scallion Dill (Printer-friendly)
Smoky grilled corn and tender orzo with crisp vegetables in zesty scallion dill dressing
# What You'll Need:
→ Salad Components
01 - 1 cup dry orzo pasta
02 - 3 ears fresh corn, husked
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 small English cucumber, diced
05 - 1/2 red onion, finely diced
06 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
→ Scallion Dill Dressing
08 - 3 scallions, roughly chopped
09 - 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
10 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
12 - 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 clove garlic
15 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush corn lightly with olive oil and grill, turning occasionally, until charred in spots and tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting kernels from cobs.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook orzo according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process and prevent sticking.
03 - Combine scallions, fresh dill, olive oil, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, sea salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled orzo, grilled corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red onion, and chopped fresh dill. Pour scallion dill dressing over salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
05 - Top with crumbled feta cheese if using. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Salad can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The scallion dill dressing is the kind of thing you will want to drizzle on everything else in your life
- It gets better as it sits making it the ultimate make ahead dish for potlucks and lazy lunches
02 -
- Rinse the orzo thoroughly under cold water or it will continue cooking and turn into a gummy mess
- The dressing can look too thin at first but it thickens as it sits and coats the pasta beautifully
03 -
- Grill extra corn when you have the grill going and freeze the kernels for winter versions of this salad
- Double the dressing because you will want to drizzle it over roasted vegetables and grain bowls all week