This summer pasta salad is everything you want when its too hot to cook!
Also a useful tip forhow to store basilthat actually really, truly works!
Bruschetta summer pasta salad
Every Christmas break, I have intentions of tackling ambitious bucket list recipes.
“Marinating” both the pasta and the tomato in garlic balsamic dressing = extra flavour infusion!
But instead of a 12 hour charcoal-roasted suckling pig, I find myself planning meals calling for minimal effort.
And anything-goes pasta salads.
When work resumed last week, I made it properly (yes, I even went to the store!
), switching basil for rocket, parmesan for manchego, and it was even better.
Low effort, high reward perfect for easing out of the summer holiday haze.
Give it a try!
“Marinating” both the pasta and the tomato in garlic balsamic dressing = extra flavour infusion!
My three golden pasta salad rules
Because nobody should suffer bland pasta salads!
Always infuse the pasta with flavourby tossing it with the dressing while its hot.
It will suck up that tasty flavour in mere minutes!
Soft cooked pasta Pasta firms up as it cools.
The colder it is, the harder it gets.
Nobody wants rock hard cold pasta salads!
Pasta cooked in salted water is tasty even plain.
Pasta cooked in unsalted water is flat and boring.
FOR THE PASTA SALAD
Pasta I used ziti / penne, but any short pasta will work great here.
Bow ties (fun!
), small shells, twirls etc.
Just check that they are ripe!
See FAQ below for directions.
Basil The classic herb herb used for bruschetta, because tomato and basil are the best of friends!
Tomatoes are friends with other herbs other than basil, you know!
Parmesan Not used in bruschetta, but I added this for a little flavour boost.
Balsamic glaze This is balsamic vinegar that has been reduced and has a syrupy consistency.
It looks great and adds a terrific pop of flavour.
Cant find it at the shops?Make your own.
Its so easy, its just simmer and reduce balsamic vinegar with a touch of sugar or honey.
Ive popped directions in the recipe notes.
Feel free to leave it out or substitute with pepitas, sunflower seeds or
3.
Dressing
Were using a simple balsamic dressing today.
Extra virgin olive oil As with the balsamic, the better the olive oil, the tastier the dressing.
Garlic The moment you smell the garlic hitting the hot pasta, you understand why we include it!
Salt and pepper Because dressing without salt is bland!
How to make bruschetta summer pasta salad
Its simple.
Prevent screen from sleeping
OK…..theres a few minor little extra details, and theres a reason for each.
Overcook pasta until soft Cook the pasta in salted boiling water*.
Dont be that person who serves up hard pasta salad!!
Always overcook your pasta for pasta salads!
Dressing While the pasta is cooking, shake up the dressing in a bottle.
(Or whisk, if you want to be normal, but shaking is more effective).
Pasta flavour absorption Drain your paste then put it back into the same pot (save washing up).
Give the dressing a good shake then pour 2/3 of it over the pasta.
Stir well it will smell amazing!
Dont chop too small, else it becomes salsa-ish and becomes hard to eat with a fork.
My technique:cut slices, stack, then cut into square(ish) pieces.
For the root piece, I cut around the root then chop into squares.
Marinate tomato Transfer the tomato and all the watery juices into a large bowl.
Pour over all the remaining dressing, then gently toss.
Tomato juices Pour the tomato juices over the pasta salad then toss the pasta.
Also, I want to salt the tomato before adding it into the pasta salad.
Salt the tomato Then sprinkle salt across the tomato and gently toss to mix through.
We do this at the end else the salt draws too much liquid out of the tomato.
Finish Add the tomato into the pasta, plus the basil and parmesan.
Then gently stir to combine before pouring into a serving bowl.
It looks good and adds an extra pop of flavour and its low effort.
So, now that Ive confessed my lazy Christmas-break cooking sins, its your turn for confession.
Tell me your secrets, I want to know!
(And dont be surprised if an iteration of it appears on this website at some point.
I promise Ill credit you!)
Nagi x
Bruschetta Summer Pasta Salad FAQ
How long will this keep?
Its best enjoyed freshly made as the tomato tends to get soft overnight.
But it will keep for 2 days in the fridge.
Not suitable for freezing.
Gluten free?
Just use gluten free pasta!
My tomatoes are not very ripe
Thats ok!
it’s possible for you to improve them simply by roasting which brings out the sweetness and softens them.
See below for directions.
What else could I use?
Just add dried herb into the dressing.
Best pasta shape?
Risoni/orzo and other small spoon-able pastas will also work but the volume made will be less.
I realised when I ate the video version, it was a little under seasoned!
There was our annual Christmas Nagi/Dozer selfie attemptfail:
There were Christmas outfits… And there was AI Dozer.
Yes, this is what AI produced!
!
