A recent trip to Trader Joe’s produced a new item that inspired this easy, refreshing dinner pasta salad. They have a new organic rotini pasta which is made only from black beans. This is a great last minute meal with minimal preparation and clean-up.
What is the best way to cook pasta for salads?
Cook 1 minute less than you normally cook. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup ice cold water (you can use ice cubes) and stir. Drain really well. Do not rinse.
Pasta Salad Ingredients:
1/2 bag black bean rotini pasta
1 large boneless, plain, grilled chicken breast (about8 oz.), diced
Baby spinach
4 baby cucumbers, sliced
1 large red pepper, diced
1 cup grape tomatoes cut in half
1/2 cup pitted green olives with Sicilian(Italian) spices, sliced
Walden Farms Calorie Free Italian Sun-dried Tomato Salad Dressing
Preparation:
Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add the rotini and cook for 7-8 minutes. It should be al dente – be very careful not to overcook since it will get mushy and disintegrate. Remove from heat and add 1 cup ice water. Pour into a strainer and shake off any excess water and put in a small bowl.
Add a small amount of the dressing to the pasta and mix. It should be just enough to coat the pasta – don’t soak it!
In a large, wide bowl place baby spinach about a third of the way up to be the base of this pasta salad. Add the chicken, cucumbers, olives, tomatoes and top with the pasta. Add a small amount of dressing and toss. Enjoy!
Serves 3-4
The olives can be found at Whole Foods, Wegmans, and other stores with extensive olive bars. They are very flavorful and really make the flavor of this healthy pasta salad, and combine well with this particular flavor of dressing. If you can’t find this dressing at your supermarket, you can order here.
