Smoked Salmon Orzo Salad

This elegant pasta salad with flecks of smoked salmon and marinated artichokes makes for a special spring lunch or a light dinner salad.


Smoked salmon is always a treat at our house and this salad is no exception. Mixed with this is marinated artichokes, briny salty capers, juice from a lemon and some fresh parsley. The strong flavor of the smoked salmon is balanced so nicely with the ingredients in this salad. While this dish screams spring it can easily be served anytime. It all depends on the ingredients.


Next month we head to Oregon, where we buy our fish whole right off the boats. Depending on the year and month, salmon will be the first fish we purchase when we get there. The fishermen take a lot of pride in fishing responsibly and you certainly can’t go wrong with that.

Adapted from the cookbook, "Learning to Cook with Marion Cunningham".

Ingredients:

4 ounces smoked salmon (flaked)
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/3 cup chopped parsley (coarsely chopped)
1/4 cup drained and rinsed capers
1 1/2 jar of 16 ounce marinated artichoke hearts (coarsely chopped)
1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
1/4 cup pasta cooking water ( take before pouring water out)
2 tablespoons Parmesan grated cheese

To prepare:

In a large bowl combine salmon, artichoke hearts, capers, lemon juice, parsley and olive oil. Set aside.



Cook pasta (orzo) in a large pot of boiling salted water. Remove 1/4 cup cooking water, and drain pasta well.

Transfer pasta to bowl with smoked salmon and mix well, adding reserved mixing water as needed to keep pasta moist. Sprinkle with cheese and serve at room temperature.







Comments

  1. I adore smoked salmon! And all the ingredients in this salad. Such a briny, smoky, salty mix in every bite!

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    1. Thanks Joanne, smoked salmon is one of my favorites too!

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  2. This is what I call a tasty and fresh summer salad. Another great recipe Cheri!

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  3. Gosh Cheri - this sounds wonderful. I would have never thought to put that all together but I love it! Have a great weekend!

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  4. I love smoked salmon. My husbands dream is to buy a smoker. But they are just too darn big! But it would be nice to be able to make our own smoked salmon. I can't wait to try this salad. Perfect for spring!

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    1. HI Natalie, that's funny my husband has been talking about a smoker as well. Happy week-end!

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  5. Both delicious looking and healthy too. Blessings, Catherine xo

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    1. Hi Catherine, appreciate the comment. Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. When I have animal protein, it's always fish. And I love smoked salmon! What a delicious looking pasta salad, cheri.

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  7. I love Orzo..this sounds like a future plan..
    Right off the boats?
    FUN.

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    1. Yes, right off the boats, pretty cool right? Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. This looks delicious, Cheri. Have a safe trip to Oregon. I'll look forward to more salmon recipes from there! D

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    1. Thanks Dena! think we were looking at each other's blogs about the same time.

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  9. What a great time of year for you to get out of Dodge and head to Portland! And all that fresh fish!! We have a stall at the farmers market that has incredible smoked salmon. It comes from Alaska where his father fishes it. This salad will be a perfect and, as you said, elegant use for it. ~ David

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    1. Thanks David, we are here for a few more weeks, but yes! we are counting the days.

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  10. I would dig into this one, Cheri! That artichoke/salmon combination sounds just right!
    I live by boats and fish. Have a great trip to Oregon. Never been, but I think I would like it very much. :) ela@GrayApron

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    1. Hi Ela, Oh do we love Oregon, but it is a pretty rural area and can be hard to make a living. Thanks for stopping by today!

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  11. Smoked salmon, artichoke hearts, capers and lemon = several of my favourite things. This dish is an absolute winner :-)

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  12. Oh this pasta looks so delicious!
    I LOVE anything with salmon, the artichoke would make it even more special.

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    1. I'm a big fan of salmon as well, thanks for stopping by. Happy week-end to you!

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  13. This sounds so good, Cheri. I love smoked salmon and all the deep, sharp, bright flavors in this salad is just a great combination!

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  14. Oh my this is the stuff of dreams - mine for sure! And getting that whole fish off the boats in Oregon. So jealous Cheri!

    ciao
    Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

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    1. Hi Devaki, I can't wait either, still have to wait a few more weeks. Thanks for stopping by.

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  15. Fresh salmon - I'm jealous! What a great salad - full of bright flavors - everything I love in one bowl! Delicious.

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  16. Cheri this is such the perfect spring recipe! I love salmon, artichokes and rice and to have them together sound sublime. Have a fantastic time in Oregon and can't wait to read about your adventures. Take Care, BAM

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    1. Hi Bam, can't wait either, I'm getting so excited. Thanks!

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  17. We get smoked trout at home and I am going to try this when we get back :)

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    1. Hi Tandy, oh I love smoked trout, can't wait to hear about your trip. Thanks Cheri

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  18. This looks wonderful Cheri! It just so happens that I have some smoked salmon in my refrigerator that I've been wondering what to do with... now I know! Great post!! <3

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    1. Thanks Prudy, smoked salmon is good no matter what you do with it, one of my favorite foods.

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  19. I LOVE smoked salmon! Being from the Pacific Northwest we have access to fresh salmon and actually have a couple in the freezer right now gifted to us. I love using it in recipes because it doesn't take much fish (I usually don't eat other meats than seafood) when it is smoked to give a lot of flavor. I love that you get them fresh off the boats - the best!

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    1. Hi Mindy, I feel very fortunate when we are there, but every year is different, it was 2 years ago that we were not able to get any salmon that summer. Thanks for stopping by.

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