Gourmet Greek Pasta Salad

Cooked penne pasta combined with halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, chopped green and red bell peppers, sliced cucumber, sliced black olives, and crumbled Feta cheese. Pasta salad is dressed with vinaigrette prepared from red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, crushed garlic, dried oregano, sea salt, fresh ground black pepper, and extra-virgin olive oil.

Ingredients -
2 cups Penne Pasta
1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
2 Garlic Cloves, crushed
2 teaspoons Dried Oregano
Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper, to taste
2/3 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
10 Cherry Tomatoes, halved
1 Small Red Onion, chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
1/2 Cucumber, sliced
1/2 cup Black Olives, sliced
1/2 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled
 
Preparation:

1. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.

2. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to a boil.

3. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite which takes about 11 minutes.

4. Rinse with cold water and drain well in a colander set in the sink.

5. Whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil.

6. Set aside.

7. In a large bowl, combine the penne, onion, tomatoes, olives, feta, cucumbers and green and red peppers.

8. Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta and mix well.

9. Cover and chill for 3 hours before serving.

 



Pasta Salad Making Tips -
Bell Peppers

In addition to adding flavor, color and crunch to a pasta salad recipe, bell peppers are loaded with both vitamin A and vitamin C. Green bell peppers are the most readily available, and usually the least expensive of the different colors.


Pasta Salad Making Tips -
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Extra-virgin olive oil is the purest olive oil available and the variety with the best flavor. It is best suited for use in dishes like salads where the oil is blended with other raw foods. While extra-virgin olive oil is suitable for using in hot dishes, much of the flavor may be lost when heated.


Recipe Ideas:
Greek Pasta Salad
Ham and Artichoke Heart Pasta Salad
Ham And Chicken Pasta Salad
Ham and Pasta Salad
Italian Pasta Salad
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