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20 mins
Zesty Pasta Salad Recipe

Zesty Pasta Salad

Rating 4-0 out of 5 - Most cooks definitely will make this recipe again
An Ideal Recipe for SlimmersAn Ideal Recipe for Vegetarians
Graham

Recipe by  

Zesty Pasta Salad is a low-fat, zesty salad that is perfect for a light summer lunch. If you are not vegetarian and want to vary the basic recipe, you can add chunks of ham, salami or leftover cooked chicken. Alternatively, you can flake in hot-smoked salmon or smoked mackerel or you can really "go for it" by topping with crisp bacon. If you are vegetarian, sundried tomatoes, olives or roasted peppers make a nice addition.

      Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

      Cooking Time: 10 Minutes

Ingredients for Zesty Pasta Salad

If you are not familiar with any ingredients, please check our International Cooking Terms page.
US Imperial Measurements  UK Imperial Measurements  Metric Measurements

Currently displaying quantities in US Imperial Measurements
to serve 4:
9 oz
pasta shapes
5 oz
frozen peas
  handful
fresh parsley
  handful
fresh chives
1
lemon
2 tablespoons
olive oil
 
salt and pepper

 

How to Cook Zesty Pasta Salad

  1. Cook the pasta in boiling water as instructed on the packet (usually just a few minutes). Add the peas for the final 2 minutes cooking time. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool, then drain again.
  2. Grate the zest from the lemon and squeeze the juice into a bowl along with the olive oil and plenty of seasoning. Add the cooled pasta and peas and mix well. Cover and chill, spooning out portions as and when you want. (If you're keeping this for a little while, by days 3 and 4 you'll need to stir in a little more olive oil to loosen the pasta).


Graham GRAHAM'S HOT TIP:
Don't overcook your pasta - "al dente" is perfect for this recipe.
 
GRAHAM'S WINE RECOMMENDATION: GrahamPasta is relatively dense and chewy and needs a silky-textured wine that's both delicate and rich. Pinot gris (also known as pinot grigio) matches this criteria and offers sweet apple, pear, and hints of stone fruit, brightened with citrus and mineral flavours.

Highly recommended if you can get it is 2005 Domaine Stirn Cuvée Prestige Sigolsheim. This family-owned Alsace producer has been fashioning wines in the tiny town of Sigolsheim since 1450, among them this honeysuckle-scented cuvée.
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Reviews of Zesty Pasta Salad

Rating 4 out of 5 - Many cooks will make this recipe again January 10 2015
This recipe was really good, it tasted awesome and is even better the next day! I added some leftover salami, and some leftover shredded mozz once everything had chilled. Very versatile & swap-friendly! It was tangy and salty at the perfect blend! The BF said it was better than my usual mayo-based pasta salad.
(1 review)
 

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