Thursday, 31 May 2007

refreshing pasta salad

i feel very lasagna, pizza, pasta, spaghetti and ravioli at the moment. jet-lags usually make me very hungry. but also very lazy. so i decided to make this easy peasy pasta salad for this weeks presto pasta night.
i usually make this one for garden parties, BBQs or prepare a larger batch, so i can take some with me into the office the next day. it's a very simple recipe. done in a dash! what i like about it is, that tastes quite fruity. the cucumber makes it very refreshing and the juicy bell pepper adds not only a great colour but also a wonderful taste.
there are no rules - just mix whatever you desire (or got left in the fridge) into this pasta salad.


RECIPE
300g small pasta, such as gnobetti, conchiglie,...
2 garlic cloves
1 red pepper, finely cubed
1/2 cucumber, finely cubed
70g black olives, finely cubed
a hand full of small mozzarella balls, torn
a hand full of fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
a hand full of fresh chive, chopped

4 tablespoons of white wine vinegar
6-7 tablespoons of olive oil
a splash of fresh lemon juice
salt and freshly ground pepper

cook pasta and garlic cloves in a large pot of boiling, salted water. when al dente drain (make sure you take out the garlic cloves - you will need it for the dressing!) & cool under cold running water.
then put in a large bowl and mix with prepared bell pepper, cucumber, olives, mozzarella, basil and chive.
to make the dressing, crush the soft garlic clove in a mortar, add olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice and seson with salt and pepper. pour over the salad and mix well.

serve cold. keeps (covered in clingfilm) in the fridge for about 2 days.

6 comments:

  1. Looks beautiful! I love any kind of pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil!
    'clingfilm' is a new word for me~ I think I will use it more often!
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  2. How fresh and friendly that looks!! I've never heard of tossing the garlic in with the pasta - I can't wait to try it!
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  3. Myriam, this is the perfect recipe for my BBQ this weekend. I love garlic and all the vegies you have combined here. Perfect!
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  4. It does look beautiful and so easy, who could NOT love it!

    We missed you here at Presto Pasta Nights and although I'm sure you had a great trip, I'm glad you're back to share more recipes!
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  5. hi sandi - isnt clingfilm a wonderful invention? (word included). glad you like the salad

    kate - the trick with the garlic is from jamie oliver. i think its a great idea. garlic - oil & vinegar and your saucec is done in a dash.

    meeta - this is the PERFECT BBQ salad. just imagine all those meat juices mixing with the salad. oh yum!

    patricia - well, at least i cant resist. glad you like it!

    ruth - its so good to be back. i read your roundup last weekend, when i was totally exhausted after running around like a crazy chicken in new york. cooking pasta just feels like home!
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