Greek Style Bow Tie Pasta Salad

It’s that time of year, time to break out the pasta salad recipes. This recipe for Greek style bow tie pasta salad is one of my favorites. The blend of Greek inspired ingredients along with a bottled balsamic vinaigrette make this an easy throw together, pasta salad. Exactly what you want for the upcoming 4th of July holiday weekend. This 4th of July grill out some burgers, make some baked beans and throw together this yummy pasta salad.

Capers

Some people aren’t familiar with these “little green round things” but they’re really quite delicious. If you like salty pops of flavor, capers are a no-brained. What exactly are capers anyway? Capers are the green, unripened flower buds of the caper bush also known as flinders rose. Native to the Mediterranean, capers are now grown in many countries. Once picked, they are dried and brined or packed in salt. This brings out their lemony, slightly floral, green olive-like flavor.

Culinary Uses

Capers have always been popular in Mediterranean cuisines but are now used worldwide, They bring a brightness to savory dishes and an equally refreshing flavor to pasta salads. Capers can be added to salads and cold dishes immediately. Like fresh herbs, they’re best added near the end of the cooking time to maintain their flavor. Like pickles, capers can be added to anything. Try stirring a couple tablespoons of chopped capers into Tuna Salad Sandwich or Egg Salad Sandwich.

Greek style

Pair Capers With

Capers are most often associated with the classic dish, Chicken Picatta but capers also pair beautifully with seafood. Most notably, salmon. Particularly smoked salmon. Add a few tablespoons too Smoked Salmon Alfredo or try capers with cream cheese, lox and bagels. Even the caper brine can be used to make cocktails. Use in place of the olive juice in your favorite dirty martini. Capers are very versatile. However, If you’ve yet to try these tasty little morsels, pick up a jar today and start adding them to all you’re favorite recipes.

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Greek style

 

Greek Style Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Yield: 12 Servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
A delicious blend of Greek Style flavors with a Mediterranean flair.
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Ingredients

  • 1- 12 oz. box bowtie pasta or 1- 10 oz. box orzo pasta
  • 1 small shallot or red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup Tomato and Basil Feta cheese* crumbled
  • 3 tablespoons capers
  • 1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
  • 3 or 4 mini sweet peppers, chopped
  • 1 English cucumber, chopped
  • 1 small bottle Simply Dressed Balsamic Vinaigrette*
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons Greek Seasonings*

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions.
  • Drain pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking.
  • Add all the remaining pasta salad ingredients to a large salad bowl. Add the cooked pasta.
  • Add desired amount of Greek vinaigrette to the pasta salad and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt, pepper and Greek seasonings.
  • Refrigerate for several hours. Before serving, stir in more salad dressing, if necessary.

Notes

*Products Mentioned:
Aldi- Tomato and Basil Feta Cheese
Marzaretti- Simply Dressing Balsamic Vinaigrette 
Cavender’s- Greek Seasoning 
Course: Pasta Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Greek
Author: Lynn / Turnips 2 Tangerines
Keyword: Aldi, bow tie pasta, Cavender's, Greek, Greek Seasonings, Mazaretti, orzo pasta

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