Dressed Up Pasta And Pepper Salad Food

THREE-PEPPER PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a blender, add the oil, vinegar, basil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper; cover and process until blended. Drain and rinse pasta in cold water; place in a large bowl. Add the peppers, tomato, olives and onions. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Stir mozzarella cheese. Serve at room temperature.

ROASTED-PEPPER PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Shake off the excess water. Meanwhile, place the bell peppers cut-side down on a foil-lined broiler pan, add the garlic and broil until charred, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer the peppers to a bowl, cover and set aside about 5 minutes. Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Add the almonds and toast, shaking the pan, 4 to 5 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop. Squeeze the garlic from its skin onto a cutting board. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt; mince and mash the garlic into a paste with a large knife. Peel the roasted peppers and slice into strips; transfer to a large bowl. Add the garlic paste and drizzle with the olive oil. Finely grate about 1 teaspoon lemon zest into the bowl and squeeze in all of the lemon juice. Add the bocconcini, basil, almonds, pasta, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; toss.
• Photographs by Antonis Achilleos

THREE PEPPER PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place pasta in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
• In a blender or food processor, blend the olive oil, white wine vinegar, basil, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth.
• In a large bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, dressing mixture, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, orange bell pepper, tomato, and olives. Top with mozzarella cheese to serve.

PENNE PASTA WITH PEPPERS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and reserve.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, red bell peppers and yellow bell peppers and saute for 10 minutes or until tender. Pour this vegetable mixture over cooked pasta and serve.

DRESSED-UP PASTA AND PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except dressing in large bowl. Add dressing; toss to coat. Cover.
• Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve.

PASTA AND BLACK BEAN SALAD WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine roasted red peppers, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and all herbs in the blender or food processor and process until well blended into a smooth dressing.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss sauce with pasta and black beans.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

PENNE PASTA SALAD WITH ROASTED RED PEPPERS AND FRESH BASIL

Steps:

• Slice peppers into ¼" wide strips, lengthwise. Place strips in a large bowl.
• Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon rind, salt and pepper.
• Toss dressing with the red pepper strips.
• Stack the basil leaves on top of one another and roll up. Slice the leaves crosswise into thin ribbons. This is called a "chiffonade" in case you want to impress your friends.
• Toss the basil leaves with the peppers. Set aside to marinate for 1 hour.
• Cook the pasta al dente in large pot of boiling water with 1 tablespoons each salt and olive oil. Drain, rinse briefly and cool to room temperature.
• Combine pasta with marinated peppers and dressing.
• Add crumbled feta cheese. Taste and adjust salt, add liberal grindings of black pepper.
• Cool salad in fridge 1-2 hours before serving or salad may be chilled overnight and brought to room temperature 1 - 2 hours before serving.
• Garnish with basil chiffonade.

JAZZED UP CREOLE SHRIMP SALAD

Steps:

• Place all the Remoulade Sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine well. Taste and adjust seasoning to your likings.
• Add the shrimp and stir to coat.
• Chill for 2 hour for flavors to meld.
• Plate over greens, stuff into half an avocado,(my Favorite) or into a Baguette.
• Enjoy!
• FYI: If you don`t enjoy a chunky salad like sauce by all means blend it for a smooth dressing.

CREAMY PESTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions adding salt to the water
• Rather than rinse with cool water, drain and toss hot pasta with olive oil and lemon juice, spread on a sheet pan to cool while you prep the veggies and dressing.
• Make the dressing: mix together pesto, greek yogurt, mayo, lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix pasta, olives, fresh mozzarella and creamy pesto dressing. (At this point you can refrigerate up to a day ahead of serving).
• Add fresh tomatoes and basil just before serving and garnish of choice.