Baby Shell Pasta Salad With Kalamata Olives And Roasted Fennel Recipes

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER AND FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Char bell peppers over open flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose peppers in paper bag 10 minutes. Peel and seed peppers, then cut into 3/4-inch-wide strips.
• Whisk lemon juice, oil, garlic, and dried crushed pepper in small bowl to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Peppers and dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill. Bring dressing to room temperature and rewhisk before using.)
• Toss sliced fennel bulb with half of dressing in medium bowl. Toss red peppers with remaining dressing in another medium bowl.
• Divide greens among 4 plates. Arrange fennel and red peppers over. Sprinkle reserved fennel fronds, olives, and Parmesan shavings over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve.

ROASTED FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Trim the fennel, reserving a handful of green fronds. Cut into slices about 1/4-inch thick. Heat a little olive oil in a saute pan, and, working in batches and seasoning with salt and pepper as you go, fry the fennel on both sides until golden and tender. As the fennel is done, arrange it on a serving platter.
• Zest the orange and set the zest aside. Remove the skin with a sharp knife, taking care to remove all the white pith from the fruit. Discard the peel. Cut out the orange sections, arranging over the fennel, and squeeze the orange juice over the whole salad.
• Slice the onion into paper thin rings and arrange over the salad. Scatter over the olives and pine nuts. Squeeze over lemon juice, to taste. Drizzle over a little more olive oil. Finally, scatter over the reserved fennel fronds. Serve.

PASTA SALAD WITH OLIVES, ROASTED FENNEL AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Toss garlic, fennel and onion with 2 teaspoons olive oil and spread out evenly on a cookie sheet.
• Roast at 375°F until lightly browned and tender, approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
• Set aside the fennel and onion.
• In a bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, barbecue sauce and lime juice.
• Squeeze the roasted garlic out of its peel, dice and whisk into dressing.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Dice the onion, fennel and tomatoes and add to the cooled pasta.
• Add the olives, herbs, and dressing and toss.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
• To serve, sprinkle with Romano cheese and crushed red chili peppers.

BABY SHELL PASTA SALAD WITH KALAMATA OLIVES AND ROASTED FENNEL

Steps:

• Cook the pasta until eldente (don't over cook); drain, and rinse with cold water; set aside.
• Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Toss the 3-4 cloves (or more if desired) of whole unpeeled garlic with the fennel and the sliced onions with the 3 Tbsp olive oil OR vegetable oil; spread on a small greased cookie sheet or baking pan, and roast in the oven until lightly browned and tender (approx 20-30 minutes).
• Remove from oven; set aside the fennel and onion.
• In a bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, barbecue sauce and lime juice with salt and pepper to taste.
• Squeeze the baked garlic out of it's peel, and add whisk into the dressing.
• Dice the baked onions, fennel and the tomatoes; add to the cooked pasta shells.
• Add the olives, fresh herbs and the dressing mix; toss everything well to coat.
• Cover and chill for 1 or more hours to blend the flavors.
• Before serving, sprinkle with the Romano or Parmesan cheese, and the crushed chili peppers.
• ***NOTE:if desired 2-3 Tbsp grated Romano or Parmesan cheese may be mixed into the salad.