Zesty Fusilli Cold Pasta Salad
Simple Fusilli Pasta Salad Recipe
This is a delightful cold pasta salad made with fusilli, pasta characterized by its short, ribbon-like shape with twists that help capture dressing. It’s a simple yet delicious salad featuring chewy fusilli and fresh vegetables, perfect for stimulating your appetite. The bright, tangy dressing makes it a wonderful light meal or a satisfying brunch.
Ingredients- 50g fresh salad greens
- 150g dried fusilli pasta
Zesty Dressing- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp whole grain mustard
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp whole grain mustard
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 Tbsp sugar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the fresh salad greens thoroughly under running water and drain them well. Prepare them by tearing or cutting into bite-sized pieces. Ensuring the greens are dry will prevent the dressing from becoming watery.
Step 2
Prepare the fusilli pasta. The unique spiral shape of fusilli is excellent for holding onto sauces and dressings, making every bite flavorful.
Step 3
Bring a generous pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of oil to the boiling water. Add the fusilli pasta and cook for approximately 8 minutes, or until ‘al dente’ (firm to the bite). Refer to the pasta package instructions, but aim for a slightly undercooked texture as it will be served cold.
Step 4
Drain the cooked fusilli immediately using a colander. Rinse the pasta under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Ensure all excess water is thoroughly drained off. This prevents the pasta from clumping and diluting the dressing.
Step 5
In a bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, whole grain mustard, ketchup, and sugar. Whisk vigorously with a fork or a small whisk until all ingredients are well combined and emulsified. Ensure there are no lumps of garlic or sugar.
Step 6
In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled fusilli pasta and the prepared salad greens. Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and greens. Gently toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. This delicious fusilli cold pasta salad can be served immediately, or chilled in the refrigerator for a refreshing experience.
