With summer 2023 now upon us, Prinos Farm&Deli thought we’d share a light recipe that uses plenty of fresh vegetables from our high-end grocery shop. Combining the exceptional quality products that we have in-store, with nutritionally rich foods that feed the body, for our June recipe, we’re serving up a delicious Greek Orzo Salad with a side of creamy cucumber. And we’re pretty sure that the whole family will love this perfect summer meal.

The main player in this recipe is the orzo salad, which combines a plethora of fresh vegetables with small rice-shaped pasta. Orzo is known for its versatility as an ingredients, as well as its ability to absorb flavours. It is often used across the Mediterranean cuisine in both hot and cold dishes, providing a nourishing touch to light summer dishes.

But this month’s recipes are all about the mighty yet humble cucumber. As it is now June and the weather is starting to get hot, staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining overall health. Composed mostly of water, cucumbers are an excellent way to replenish your body’s hydration levels. This high water content not only helps regulate body temperature but also supports digestion, aids in detoxification, and enhances skin health.

Moreover, cucumbers are packed full of essential nutrients and antioxidants. They are Vitamin powerhouses, containing high quantities of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and several B Vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. Additionally, cucumbers are a rich source of minerals like potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Together, these nutrients work to support a strong immune system, promotes heart health, and assists in maintaining healthy bones.

The leafy greens and fresh herbs in this recipe add a further touch of nutritional benefits and aromatic flavour. And the dish is versatile, so you can add whatever herbs you have in your kitchen or garden. Alternatively you can head down to Prinos Farm&Deli and pick up a selection of delicious seasonal fresh herbs from Cyprus. Some of the key nutritional benefits of fresh herbs include their high quantities of potent antioxidants which protect the body against the cellular damage and chronic diseases caused by free radicals.

Moreover, these fresh herbs are a great source of Vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and folate, iron, calcium and potassium. They help to maintain healthy skin, immune system and proper cell and organ function.

And of course, we always advocate for a nice balanced diet, so we’re including chickpeas in our orzo salad. An excellent source of plant-based protein, chickpeas are essential for the growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues in our body, as well as for the production of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. Furthermore, they are rich in dietary fibre, which plays a crucial role in supporting digestive health, as well as Vitamins, antioxidants and minerals such as folate, iron, phosphorus, and manganese.

So, let’s get on to the recipe itself. We’ve provided links to all the premium ingredients in the list below, so you purchase everything directly from our e-shop!

INGREDIENTS

For the Orzo Salad:

• 1 ¼ cups orzo pasta
• 1 cup of cooked chickpeas
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 small red onion
• 1 cucumber
• 1 fresh red pepper
• ⅓ cup chopped dill, plus more for garnish
• ⅓ cup chopped mint
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin Olive oil
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ cup feta cheese
• ⅓ cup black olives
• Black pepper
• Sea salt

For the Creamy Cucumber:

• 2 medium shallots
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 2 large cucumbers
• Black pepper
• Sea salt

 METHOD

1. Start by preparing the creamy cucumber, by slicing the shallots into rings, and stirring together with sour cream, vinegar, garlic, dill, salt and pepper. Then cover and refrigerate for an hour.
2. While the dressing is cooling, thinly slice the cucumber, toss with salt in a colander and let sit for 45 minutes.
3. Next cook the orzo in boiling water until it is al dente, then drain the water, drizzle with olive oil to avoid sticking and let it come to room temperature.
4. Now add the cooked chickpeas in a bowl and mix together with the juice of half the lemon, lemon zest and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
5. Prepare the fresh veggies mince the red onion, dice the cucumber and red pepper and chop the herbs. Then add them to the bowl with the chickpeas and lemon.
6. Stir in the orzo, and add the vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, oregano, feta, black olives, and black pepper.
7. Remove the cucumbers from the colander, stir together with the dressing and serve immediately.

So get down to the Prinos Farm&Deli stores in Larnaca and Nicosia or try out our  e-shop today to stock up on ingredients and get creative in the kitchen.