Summer Pasta Salad
A good pasta salad celebrates the best of summer produce: fresh herbs, seasonal vegetables and a bright dressing which all come together in a dish that feels both comforting and light at the same time. This Summer Pasta Salad is an excuse to bring together so many of my favourite Summer ingredients.
If you want to make the salad more filling you can add tuna, or cannellini beans, or both.
If making the salad ahead store the salad and dressing in the fridge separately, then assemble as needed. I would also refrain from adding the rocket leaves until serving for maximum freshness, they are delicate and wilt easily.
Serves 4-6
the salad
250g orecchiette pasta (or pasta of your choice)
1 cup broad beans
1 cup asparagus, trimmed and diced
1/2 cucumber
1/4 red onion, peeled and trimmed
1/4 cup pitted green olives
100g feta cheese
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
1/2 bag (30g) rocket leaves
the dressing
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1 clove of garlic, peeled and crushed
50 ml white wine vinegar
100ml extra virgin olive oil
sea salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 - 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes
method
Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions and drain, then rinse in running water to remove any starch and drain fully. Set aside.
Prep the ingredients for the pasta salad:
In a pan of boiling water cook the asparagus 1-2 mins, then remove with a slotted spoon to iced water for 1 min. Drain and set aside.
In a pan of boiling water cook the board beans 1-2 mins, then remove with a slotted spoon to iced water for 1 min. Drain and peel the broad beans from their skins and discard the skins. Set aside.
Dice the cucumber, finely dice the red onion and chop the green olives. Set aside.
Crumble the feta cheese then set aside
Finely chop the fresh dill and parsley then set aside
Wash and drain the rocket leaves
To make the dressing in a small mixing bowl add: honey, mustard, crushed garlic, vinegar and olive oil. Blend using a hand blender as this will emulsify the dressing. Season to taste and add the chilli flakes if using.
You are now ready to assemble to pasta salad take a large bowl and add all the ingredients, toss to combine. When you are ready to serve add the dressing combine gently and serve.