Sicilian Pasta Salad Food

SICILIAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse, and toss in 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Set aside.
• Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat, and add the remaining olive oil. Mix in the garlic, onion, and bell pepper. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
• In a small bowl, combine the tomato paste and water. Mix well. Add the tomato puree, wine, fresh herbs, and seasonings to the skillet. Continue to simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the zucchini and green beans, and cook for a few minutes until softened. Remove from heat.
• Mix in the sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and olives. Add the pasta and stir until everything is well combined. Chill completely for about 2 hours before mixing in the cheese and garnishing with the basil leaves. Serve.

SICILIAN COLD PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta, drain and set it aside to cool.
• When cool, mix all other ingredients into bowl.
• Top with grated parmesan cheese.
• This can be prepared with any type of pasta.

SICILIAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring large pot of water to a boil. When water boils add 1 teaspoons salt and pasta, stirring to prevent sticking. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 10-15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, steam green beans and squash seperately until each is just tender. Rinse under cold running water and drain well.
• Drain pasta, rinse under cold running water and drain well. Transfer to large serving bowl. Add green beans, squash, artichokes with liquid, tomatoes, vinegar, oregano, cheese, salt and pepper. Toss to mix and coat. Serve at room temperature.

SICILIAN ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook as the label directs, adding the celery slices during the last 2 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain. Set aside. Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Add the olives and red pepper flakes; stir to combine. Stir in the orzo and celery slices along with 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water. Cook, stirring, until the water is mostly absorbed and the pasta is coated, adding more pasta cooking water if needed, about 2 minutes. Stir in the celery leaves, herbs and sardines; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle each serving with olive oil and top with the toasted pine nuts and cheese.

SIMPLE SICILIAN SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Mix together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper.

SICILIAN PASTA AND BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Heat the water for your pasta while you prepare the broccoli.
• In a shallow, 10-inch saute pot, heat the 1 cup olive oil over medium-high heat (see Cook's Note). Add the broccoli to the oil and season it with salt. Saute the broccoli for about 4 minutes, or until it takes on a toasty color. The broccoli will absorb a lot of the oil, so if you find your pot getting dry, just add a little more oil to it. Throw in the garlic and cook for about another minute, until it's slightly brown. Don't burn the garlic! Take the broccoli off the heat and set it aside.
• Prepare the penne according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and toss it in the pot with the broccoli, garlic, and olive oil. If the mixture seems dry, add a little more oil.
• Toss in the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, stir, and garnish with the parsley.

SICILIAN POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Place potatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a Dutch oven; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until tender, 12-15 minutes. Drain; rinse with cold water. Pat dry., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add beans; cook, uncovered, just until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Drain; immediately drop into ice water. Drain and pat dry., Peel and cube potatoes; sprinkle with remaining salt and the pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl. Add beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, onion and 3/4 cup basil leaves. Whisk together oil, vinegar and garlic. Drizzle over vegetables; toss to coat. Sprinkle with remaining basil.

SICILIAN SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. , In a large salad bowl, combine the pasta, tomatoes, cheese, onion, olives and parsley. Drizzle with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.