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Love Affair with Food Network

While Tim's been away, I've been carrying on a torrid affair...with whole wheat pasta. Seriously, I found a Food Network recipe that takes only a few minutes to make, is super healthy, and includes nuts and cheese. Could you ask for more?


Whole-Wheat Pasta Salad with Walnuts and Feta Cheese
2006, Ellie Krieger, All rights reserved

Prep Time: 20 min
Inactive Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 12 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients
1/2 pound whole-wheat fusilli or other spiral shaped pasta
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 1/2 cups chopped baby spinach leaves
2 tablespoons walnut oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 clove of garlic, minced (about 1/2 teaspoon)
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain the pasta, rinse it under cold water, and put it in the refrigerator to chill.

In a dry saute pan toast the walnuts over a medium-high flame until they are fragrant, about 2 minutes. Set the walnuts aside to cool then chop them coarsely.

In a large bowl, toss together the chilled pasta, walnuts, feta cheese, onion, and spinach. In a small bowl whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic and mustard. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

Comments

Mary said…
Sounds delicious!! I've never used walnut oil before...is it hard to find?
3:33 PM
Amy said…
Truth? I used olive oil. Tasted fine to me. I bet you can get walnut oil at New Pi, tho.
7:22 PM
AnneR said…
Unhealthy confession: I can't stomach whole wheat pasta. But otherwise sounds yummy. I applaud you for finding the only Food Network star who doesn't go through a pound of butter per show.
7:41 PM
Amy said…
I have found that you need to overcook whole wheat pasta. It's so chewy otherwise that the texture is all wrong. But hey, if you're not hot on whole wheat, I'd say substitute regular and it'll be fab anyway.
8:33 PM
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