Pasta salad
June 27, 2011 • Category: Salads
Heat is on, every day, unrelenting; I had been watering that basil bush hoping it would not succumb to the 100F plus temperatures; luckily it doubled in size in a few weeks and here is the result.
A pasta salad coated with fresh basil pesto and garnished with a handful of green beans and some black niçoise olives.
INGREDIENTS: 4 servings
- 6 ounces of penne pasta
- 1 cup of small black olives
- 2 cups of green beans
- 1 cup of fresh basil leaves, packed
- 4 and up to 6 cloves of garlic, chopped and mashed in a mortar with a dash of salt
- 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan
- Olive oil, as needed
METHOD:
- Cook the pasta in plenty of boiling salted water; drain and sprinkle a tablespoon of olive oil on the pasta and toss.
- Place the basil and garlic in the bowl of a food processor and run the machine while pouring several tablespoons of olive oil. Add about 1/4 cup of parmesan and transfer the pesto into the pasta bowl and toss.
- Cut the green beans into one inch pieces and cook or steam till tender; add to the bowl of pasta. Grind a bit of black pepper, add some olives, extra parmesan and serve.
Comments
22 Comments • Comments Feed
Faith says:
Such a beautiful salad, and definitely the perfect meal for a hot summer day! The flavor of basil is so refreshing!
On June 27, 2011 at 5:07 pm
heguiberto says:
Basil pesto is one of my favorite sauces. I don’t think I’ve made it without bit of crushed nuts added to it. I’ve got to try this one. I bet the basil flavor is more intense this way, which to me sounds even more exciting!
On June 27, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Rosa says:
A refined pasta salad! Tasty.
Cheers,
Rosa
On June 28, 2011 at 12:18 am
Italian Notes says:
Adding beans sound like a good idea. I’ll give it a try.
On June 28, 2011 at 12:46 am
jantonio says:
A fantastic salad for these days of summer.I think is quick and delicius.
On June 28, 2011 at 1:33 am
Priya says:
Flavourful and filling salad..
On June 28, 2011 at 3:51 am
purabi naha says:
Your photos look just great and I am definitely intrigued! Loved your collection of recipes and everything about this blog. Do visit my curry blog and please feel free to comment on my Indian (Asian) recipes.
On June 28, 2011 at 3:56 am
Nuts about food says:
Beautiful colors and wonderfully fresh looking.
On June 28, 2011 at 4:03 am
Barbara says:
Marvelously simple summer salad! I do like your using green beans…never have done that in a pasta salad.
On June 28, 2011 at 5:47 am
Steve @ HPD says:
Rule of thumb for pasta salad: the simpler, the better. And this one looks perfect! Cheers!
On June 28, 2011 at 6:27 am
Kalyn says:
Sounds like a perfect summer meal!
On June 28, 2011 at 9:03 am
Sally - My Custard P says:
Just my kind of pasta dish – especially in this weather.
On June 28, 2011 at 9:13 am
T.W. Barritt says:
Nice contrast of basil and black olives – hopefully your basil plant hasn’t wilted from all the heat.
On June 28, 2011 at 9:29 am
Nisa says:
My mouth is watering, as usual. You’ve inspired me to finally get around to planting some basil! Joumana, I was wondering if you might be persuaded to share a recipe for your version of toum (garlic paste) some time. I’ve found a few, but something tells me yours would be amazing. If you’re so inclined, of course. Thanks either way!
On June 28, 2011 at 9:51 am
Xiaolu @ 6 Bitterswe says:
I love pasta and pesto together — a great lunch I wish I could eat right now!
On June 28, 2011 at 10:26 am
kankana says:
This kind of pasta salad is one of my go-to for summer .. light and flavorful!
On June 28, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Magic of Spice says:
Lovely pasta dish…I like the add of black olives and green beans 🙂
Hope you are having a great week…
On June 28, 2011 at 4:32 pm
anh@anhsfoodblog.com says:
the color of the pasta salad is so fresh!
On June 28, 2011 at 5:01 pm
shayma says:
Joumana- fantastic- many congrats on your daytime tv feature- i just saw it on your blog. you are a natural- so elegant. x shayma
On June 28, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Lori Lynn says:
That is one nice looking pasta salad.
LL
On June 29, 2011 at 4:26 am
domi says:
Super salade à l’italienne…..
On July 5, 2011 at 11:21 am