Black and lavender mottled Scarlet Runner beans add beautiful color and creamy texture to this lively orzo salad.

Makes 12 (3/4-cup) servings.

Prep Time: 20 minutes plus overnight soaking of beans
Cook Time: 3 hours

Nutritional Information

For 1 serving
Calories: 200
Sodium: 309mg
Fat: 8g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Cholesterol: 6mg
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 7g

Scarlet Runner and Tomato Orzo Salad with Oregano-Lemon Vinaigrette

 Fiber Rich

Ingredients

1 cup dried heirloom beans, such as Scarlet Runner, Christmas Lima, Scarlet Emperor or Black Valentine
1/2 pound fresh green beans, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup orzo
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
2 cups grape tomato halves
1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick® Gourmet Collection Oregano Leaves, Mediterranean
1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick® Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Black Pepper, Coarse Grind
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

1. Soak and cook heirloom beans as directed on package until tender. Drain and set aside.

2. Prepare ice water bath in large bowl; set aside. Bring large saucepan of salted water to boil on high heat. Add green beans; cook 1 minute. Immediately transfer green beans with slotted spoon to ice water to stop cooking process. Drain green beans; set aside. Return saucepan of salted water to boil on high heat. Add orzo; cook as directed on package. Drain and set aside.

3. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 2 minutes or until slightly softened. Add tomatoes, green beans and garlic; cook and stir 5 minutes or until tomatoes soften slightly. Remove skillet from heat. Add cooked orzo, cooked beans, pine nuts, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, lemon peel, lemon juice, oregano, sea salt and pepper; toss to mix well. Serve warm or at room temperature. Sprinkle with feta cheese before serving.

Tips

To prepare with Canned Beans: Omit Step 1 and substitute 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, kidney beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed, for the heirloom beans. Add to the skillet with the cooked orzo. Decrease sea salt to 1 teaspoon.