Roasted Pepper Pasta Salad With Herbs And Feta Food

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

ROASTED SWEET PEPPER PASTA SALAD WITH HERBS AND FETA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450°. Spray rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches, with cooking spray. Place bell peppers and onion in single layer in pan. Spray vegetables with cooking spray. Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until vegetables are lightly browned and tender.
• Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water; drain.
• Toss bell peppers, onion, pasta and remaining ingredients in large bowl. Serve immediately, or refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.

ROASTED PEPPER PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, onions, red peppers and cheese. , In a small bowl, whisk the salad dressing mix, broth and vinegar. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

LENTIL AND HERB SALAD WITH ROASTED PEPPERS AND FETA

Steps:

• In a medium size pot, combine lentils, water, onion, bay leaf and 2 of the garlic cloves. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Add salt to taste, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 25 minutes, until lentils are cooked through but still have some texture. They should not be mushy. Taste and adjust salt. Using tongs, remove onion and bay leaf.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl or measuring cup, mix together vinegar, remaining garlic, salt to taste, and olive oil. Set aside.
• Place a strainer over a bowl and carefully drain lentils. Transfer lentils to a bowl. Measure out 1/4 cup of the broth and whisk it into the dressing, then toss dressing with the lentils. Stir in roasted pepper strips and allow to cool if desired. Taste and adjust salt. Shortly before serving stir in fresh herbs, pepper, and feta.

FUSILLI WITH ROASTED RED PEPPERS, FETA, AND HERB DRESSING

Steps:

• For dressing: Place all ingredients in a jar. Close lid tightly and shake until blended.
• In a large pot of lightly salted water, cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, soak red onion in ice water to mellow its flavor. Drain cooked pasta and place in a large bowl. Drain onions and pat dry, add to pasta, Add dressing, olives, peppers and feta to warm pasta and toss. Serve at room temperature.

ORZO SALAD WITH PEPPERS AND FETA

Steps:

• Cook orzo in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta, pressing out excess liquid. Spread out on a baking sheet to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onion, bell peppers and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato and cook, stirring occasionally, until broken down and juices release, about 8 minutes.
• Add the reserved pasta water and stir to scrape up any browned bits at the bottom of the skillet. Transfer vegetable mixture to a large bowl to cool slightly to lukewarm, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to speed up the cooling process. Discard thyme sprig.
• Add cooled orzo, lemon juice, basil and cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well, then transfer to a large serving bowl or platter. Garnish with more basil.

ROASTED PEPPERS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Place peppers on grill and char. Remove from grill and place in bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 10 minutes. Cut peppers in half and remove skin and seeds. Mix eggs, feta, parsley, and chiles. Fill peppers evenly and place under broiler until golden brown.

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.

ROASTED PEPPER PASTA SALAD WITH HERBS AND FETA

Steps:

• Cut peppers into 1 inch pieces. Cut onion into wedges.
• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place vegetables on a single layer on pan and toss with olive oil. Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes or until they are lightly browned and tender.
• Meanwhile cook and drain pasta as directed. Rinse with cold water and drain.
• Toss peppers, onions, pasta and remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
• Serve immediately or refridgerate for 1 to 2 hours.