Penne Pasta Salad With Roasted Red Peppers And Fresh Basil Recipes

QUICK AND EASY ROASTED RED PEPPER PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
• Meanwhile, add the oil and butter to a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter. Add the garlic and onions and saute until starting to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chopped red peppers and cook until hot, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Carefully transfer the contents of the skillet to a food processor or blender. Put on the lid and puree the pepper mixture until totally blended (there will still be some texture to the peppers).
• Pour the pepper puree back into the skillet. Add the broth, 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper, and stir until heated. Splash in the cream and stir to combine. Add the parsley and basil and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning if you need to.
• Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Add the Parmesan, and then stir it together to coat the pasta.
• Serve in bowls with extra Parmesan and a sprinkling of parsley and basil on top.

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

PENNE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente, rinse under cold water and drain.
• In a large bowl, mix together the salad dressing, mustard, cheese and dill.
• Add pasta, red onion and bell peppers. Toss well; season with salt and pepper. Chill before serving.

PENNE PASTA SALAD WITH ROASTED RED PEPPERS AND FRESH BASIL

Steps:

• Slice peppers into ¼" wide strips, lengthwise. Place strips in a large bowl.
• Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon rind, salt and pepper.
• Toss dressing with the red pepper strips.
• Stack the basil leaves on top of one another and roll up. Slice the leaves crosswise into thin ribbons. This is called a "chiffonade" in case you want to impress your friends.
• Toss the basil leaves with the peppers. Set aside to marinate for 1 hour.
• Cook the pasta al dente in large pot of boiling water with 1 tablespoons each salt and olive oil. Drain, rinse briefly and cool to room temperature.
• Combine pasta with marinated peppers and dressing.
• Add crumbled feta cheese. Taste and adjust salt, add liberal grindings of black pepper.
• Cool salad in fridge 1-2 hours before serving or salad may be chilled overnight and brought to room temperature 1 - 2 hours before serving.
• Garnish with basil chiffonade.

ROASTED PEPPER AND BASIL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to high broil. Place a large pot of salted water on the stove to boil. Remove seeds and core from red peppers. Lay flat with skin side facing up on a tin foil lined baking sheet. Broil for 5-10 minutes or until the skin is completely black. Remove and seal foil around peppers. Set aside.
• Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Rinse with cold water to cool and set aside in fridge.
• Heat oil or butter over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 5 minutes until translucent. Turn down heat and add garlic. Cook for another 5 minutes or until fragrant. Set in fridge to cool.
• Chop scallions using both the white and green parts. Set aside. Remove skin from the peppers once they have cooled for at least 10 minutes in the tin foil -- the skin should peel off easily. Dice roasted peppers and set aside. Try to keep all the juices that run from the pepper while cutting/transferring it.
• Blend together all ingredients for dressing. If you do not have a blender then chop basil finely and whisk all ingredients. Set aside.
• In a large bowl combine the cold pasta, cold onion/garlic mixture, diced red peppers and scallion. Slowly add the dressing about 1 tablespoon at a time while tasting in between. You will likely have dressing left over -- keep this in the fridge for a fresh salad dressing or another pasta salad.

PASTA SALAD WITH ROASTED RED PEPPERS AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Mix pasta, herbs and vegetables together in a large bowl.
• To make vinaigrette:.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, garlic, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
• While whisking, slowly add the olive oil until the vinaigrette is emulsified.
• Add vinaigrette to the pasta mixture.
• Add additional salt and black pepper to taste.
• Can be served at room temperature.