Full of citrus, but this one’s no lemon22

Posted on August 31, 2008 by ChristieDinner Time, Taste Tests

An easy, fresh and tangy lunch treat. What more could you ask for?

You might remember that I went to the Sydney Organic Expo about a month ago and got some Lakelands mandarin infused olive oil. I’ve been using it on grilled fish, in salad dressings and drizzled over steamed broccoli but haven’t written any of the recipes down. Until now.

I made this salad for lunch the other day and absolutely loved it. I’m a citrus lover at the best of times, but combining the three types with fish, herbs and pasta really worked. You could also omit the canned tuna and serve with a grilled salmon fillet if you liked. That would be a very nice dinner with extra mandarin oil on the salmon.

For now though, I better stop drizzling it around willy nilly, or I’ll be taking a little trip to a certain olive grove… actually, that wouldn’t be so bad!

Happy cooking, Christie

Triple Citrus Tuna Risoni
serves 4

1 cup risoni pasta*
1 tablespoon lemon zest, finely grated
1 tablespoon orange zest, finely grated
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup mandarin infused olive oil**
1 cup loosely packed flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped
1 large red capsicum (bell pepper), sliced into strips
1/2 cup green olives, pitted and sliced
2 x 180g cans tuna in olive oil, drained

1. Cook the risoni in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold tap water.

2. Place the risoni in a large bowl, add all the ingredients and mix well to combine. Season well with sea salt and cracked pepper. Divide into serving bowls and garnish with extra zest and parsley.

*Rice shaped pasta, also called orzo.
**You can substitute regular olive oil mixed with finely grated mandarin zest.

LOVE SALADS? You might like to try one of these:
Poached salmon salad with creamy pesto dressing
Feta and preserved lemon salad

22Comments

  1. Peter G says:

    Love the triple citrus hit in this Christie! just divine…

  2. noble pig says:

    Oh how yummy this looks, I don’t think I’ve had risoni before.

  3. Tarah says:

    Oh wow! This looks and sound fantastic!!

  4. Mallika says:

    I do love salads. This sounds terrific.

  5. Ju'eta Amir says:

    I can almost smell it through the screen. Looks great!

  6. Dee says:

    I’m not big on salad, but I’m nicking the preserved lemon and feta recipe :)

  7. diva says:

    oh this looks good…love salads like these

  8. Dragon says:

    This salad has my name all over it. I adore all these flavours and can’t wait to make it for myself!

  9. Christie says:

    Thanks everyone! Hope you make this, it’s so yummy and refreshing :)

  10. Sophie says:

    I would love to try tuna like this! It looks so fresh, and fish always leaves me feeling healthy after I eat it! And it looks pretty too, what a winner!

  11. Jude says:

    Such a nice capture. I’ve never had risoni either.

  12. Christie says:

    Sophie and Jude – Thanks so much! I’m quite proud of that photo. Glad you like it!

  13. michelle says:

    Oh God, this looks way better than the tuna lunch I just had!!!

  14. tangobaby says:

    The mandarin flavored oil sounds like the best part! What a great recipe.

  15. Johannah says:

    I just made this, Christie.
    I didn’t have the mandarin oil, or any mandarins, for that matter. But I used navel oranges and it was very refreshing and tasty.
    Thanks, Johannah

  16. Christie says:

    Michelle – Thanks!

    Tangobaby – Good to see you’re back. The mandarin oil is really nice.

    Johannah – I’m so glad you enjoyed it. The mandarin oil isn’t essential, as you’ve found out.

  17. andy says:

    Great salad, especially a citrus one

  18. Yum: now that spring’s approaching, I’m going to have to try this one!

  19. Jamie says:

    I am so into cooking with citrus these days, and it is so salad season now, so this dish is just perfect!

  20. This dish screams summer. Very refreshing!

  21. Syrie says:

    Gorgeous Christie. Love this type of recipe for dinner. I cook risoni a fair bit with feta, spinach and smoked trout and sometime grilled salmon. I’ve tried the lakelands mandarin oil before. It’s gorgeous.

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