Refreshing Cold Pasta Salad
Refreshing Cold Pasta Salad
How to Make a Delicious Cold Pasta Salad
Hello everyone! Today, I’m sharing a fantastic recipe for a refreshing cold pasta salad. It’s incredibly easy to make and perfect for those days when you crave something light yet satisfying. The combination of fresh vegetables, tender tofu, and tangy feta cheese is simply divine!
Pasta & Main Ingredients- Pasta (Linguine, Spaghetti, etc.) 100g
- Tomato (Cherry or ripe medium tomato) 1 medium
- Tofu 1/3 block (approx. 100g)
- Feta cheese 50g
- Baby greens a handful
Dressing Ingredients (Ratio is Key!)- Minced garlic 1 tsp
- Olive oil 2 tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 tsp
- Vinegar (Apple cider or white wine vinegar recommended) 1 tbsp
- Lemon juice 2 tbsp
- Honey or agave syrup 1 tsp
- Sugar 2 tsp
- Minced garlic 1 tsp
- Olive oil 2 tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 tsp
- Vinegar (Apple cider or white wine vinegar recommended) 1 tbsp
- Lemon juice 2 tbsp
- Honey or agave syrup 1 tsp
- Sugar 2 tsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare all the ingredients for our delicious cold pasta salad. Dice the tomato into bite-sized pieces, cube the tofu, and crumble or cube the feta cheese. Rinse the baby greens thoroughly under cold water and pat them dry.
Step 2
Cut the prepared tofu into approximately 1cm cubes. Lightly grease a non-stick pan with a little olive oil over medium-low heat. Pan-fry the tofu cubes until they are golden brown and slightly crispy on all sides. This adds a wonderful textural contrast. Drain the fried tofu on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Step 3
Bring a pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions (usually 7-10 minutes), but aim for al dente – perhaps 1 minute less than the suggested time. As soon as the pasta is cooked, drain it immediately and rinse thoroughly under cold running water. This crucial step stops the cooking process and prevents the pasta from becoming mushy, ensuring a delightful firm texture.
Step 4
After rinsing, drain the pasta very well using a colander. Once most of the water has dripped off, add about 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the pasta and toss to coat. This prevents the pasta strands from sticking together and helps the dressing adhere evenly, making it perfect for a salad.
Step 5
If you’d like an extra touch of brightness, drizzle about 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice over the dressed pasta. Toss gently to combine for an even more vibrant and refreshing flavor profile.
Step 6
In a large serving bowl, arrange the prepared pasta. Top it beautifully with the fresh baby greens, diced tomatoes, golden-brown tofu cubes, and crumbled feta cheese. The colorful presentation is sure to whet your appetite!
Step 7
And there you have it – a visually appealing cold pasta salad! Now, let’s whip up the delicious dressing to bring it all together.
Step 8
In a small bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients: 1 tsp minced garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp vinegar, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, and 2 tsp sugar. Whisk vigorously with a fork or small whisk until well combined and the sugar and honey are dissolved. Pour this delightful dressing evenly over the assembled pasta salad. Your refreshing and flavorful cold pasta salad is now ready to be enjoyed! Bon appétit!
