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Close up photo of Low Fat Chipotle Ranch Orzo Salad\

Orzo Salad with Low Fat Chipotle Ranch Dressing

Orzo Salad with Low Fat Chipotle Ranch Dressing - bursting with great fresh flavour, this tasty pasta salad can even be made fat free by using non-fat yogurt in the dressing!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean
Keyword orzo salad
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Author Barry C. Parsons

Ingredients

  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups dry whole wheat orzo or other small whole wheat pasta
  • 1/2 cup sliced radishes
  • 2 small tomatoes diced
  • 1 small red onion finely chopped
  • 1 yellow orange or red bell pepper, diced small
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs chives, basil, thyme and oregano all work well or a combination of any
  • pinch black pepper

For the dressing

  • 1 cup drained non fat or low fat yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic very well minced
  • 1 tbsp basil very finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tbsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp chipotle powder more or less to taste
  • 2 tbsp buttermilk or nonfat milk

Instructions

  1. Begin by making the dressing.
  2. Strain the yogurt by lining a colander with coffee filters and then pour in the yogurt. Place the colander over a bowl so that there is ample space between the bottom of the colander and the bottom of the bowl. Let the yogurt drain for several hours or overnight in the fridge.
  3. Whisk together well until all the ingredients are well combined. let stand in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight for the flavors to fully blend and develop.
  4. Cook the orzo in salted boiling water until cooked al dente. drain and rinse with cold water.
  5. Drain well and add the prepared ranch dressing along with the radishes, tomatoes, red onion, bell peppers, herbs and black pepper.
  6. Toss together well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.