Ts Peppy Pasta Salad Recipes

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.

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

T'S PEPPY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil pasta according to directions; rinse with cold water, drain and keep chilled. Chop peppers, onions, cilantro. Drain and slice black olives. Chop Pepper Jack Cheese into bite size chunks. Toss all ingredients together in large bowl. Add pepperoni, sprinkle with garlic powder; pepper, basil and parsley. Toss well with 1/2 bottle of dressing; reserve additional dressing for adding just before serving as needed. Pasta tends to "soak it up" when stored. Chill and serve.

TAHINI-PARMESAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When the water's boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high. Add the tomatoes, season with salt, and cook, shaking occasionally, until charred and wrinkly, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl to cool.
• In a liquid measuring cup, stir together the tahini and grated Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. (Mixture will be thick.) When the pasta is drained, add 1/2 cup pasta water to the dressing and stir until smooth. Add the pasta to the bowl with the tomatoes, then stir in enough dressing to coat. (You won't use all of it just yet.) Let cool for 15 minutes or up to 3 hours at room temperature.
• When ready to eat, stir the rest of the dressing into the pasta. Stir in water (reserved pasta water or tap) as needed until the pasta is glossy and creamy. Stir in the mint, scallions, sesame seeds and chopped Parmesan, reserving a little for garnish if desired. Season to taste with salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

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.