Description
Sizzling Bobby Flay pasta salad combines zesty ingredients for a mouthwatering summer dish. Mediterranean flavors and fresh herbs create a delightful meal that will satisfy your craving for a light yet satisfying lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (710 ml) fusilli pasta, uncooked
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) chickpeas, cooked, drained and rinsed
- 2 heaping cups (475 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (240 ml) feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 cups (475 ml) arugula
- 1 cup (240 ml) Persian cucumbers, sliced into thin half-moons
- 1 cup (240 ml) basil leaves, torn
- ½ cup (120 ml) parsley, minced
- ½ cup (120 ml) mint, chopped
- ¼ cup (60 ml) pine nuts, toasted
- ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, more for drizzling
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp herbes de Provence, or dried Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¾ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process. Toss lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking and allow to cool completely.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk together garlic, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, herbes de Provence, red pepper flakes, and salt in a medium bowl until emulsified, creating a zesty and aromatic vinaigrette.
- Ingredient Assembly: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with pine nuts, mint leaves, feta cheese, arugula, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and chickpeas. Gently fold ingredients to distribute evenly without crushing delicate components.
- Final Composition: Drizzle prepared dressing over the pasta mixture, carefully coating all ingredients. Toss gently to ensure uniform flavor distribution. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
- Serving Recommendation: Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with extra mint leaves and a final splash of olive oil. Serve chilled or at room temperature, allowing the vibrant Mediterranean flavors to shine through.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook al dente for the ideal texture, ensuring pasta maintains a slight bite without becoming mushy.
- Dressing Magic: Whisk ingredients vigorously to emulsify, blending flavors deeply into the salad for maximum taste impact.
- Cooling Technique: Spread pasta evenly and avoid overcrowding to prevent sticking and accelerate cooling process.
- Flavor Fusion: Let salad sit for 15-30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop richer, more complex taste profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg