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A mixture of whole almonds, slivered almonds, dried cranberries, and green pumpkin seeds for an Orzo Kale Salad.

Vibrant Orzo Kale Salad with Cranberries & Almonds

A vibrant Orzo Kale Salad featuring curly green kale, tender orzo, whole and slivered almonds, dried cranberries, green pumpkin seeds, and shaved parmesan, all glistening in a zesty, light lemon vinaigrette.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

Orzo Kale Salad Ingredients
  • 1 bunch curly green kale About 8 oz (225g), stems removed and leaves chopped.
  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta About 180g.
  • 1/4 cup whole almonds About 35g, toasted.
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds About 25g, toasted.
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries About 40g.
  • 1/4 cup green pumpkin seeds About 30g, raw pepitas, toasted.
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese About 30g, freshly shaved.
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil About 80ml.
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice About 45ml.
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard About 15g.
  • 1 tbsp honey About 20g.
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt About 3g.
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper About 1g.

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot For boiling the orzo pasta.
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl A rustic speckled ceramic bowl works beautifully for presentation.
  • 1 Vegetable Peeler For creating large, delicate shavings of parmesan cheese.

Method
 

Making the Salad
  1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add the dry orzo pasta and cook for 9-10 minutes until al dente. Drain into a colander and rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking.
  2. Place the chopped curly green kale in a large mixing bowl. Add 1 tsp of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Firmly massage the leaves with your hands for 2-3 minutes until they shrink in volume and turn a deep, glossy green.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is fully emulsified and light.
  4. Place a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the whole almonds, slivered almonds, and green pumpkin seeds. Toast for 3-4 minutes, tossing frequently, until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
  5. Add the cooled orzo, toasted almonds, toasted pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries to the bowl of massaged kale. Drizzle the light vinaigrette over the top and toss gently until all ingredients are glistening.
  6. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the parmesan cheese directly over the bowl. Gently fold the shavings into the top layer. Serve immediately in bright, natural light for a fresh and appetizing presentation.

Notes

Massaging the kale is essential for a tender, digestible salad.
Make sure to rinse the orzo to prevent the salad from becoming gummy.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.