Mediterranean Pasta Salad

This salad makes a beautiful side dish for any family or pot-luck meal.

When it comes to family meals, it is important to get the kids involved in meal preparation. This can help to increase their palate for new foods, build skills in the kitchen, and promote a healthy relationship with food. Your family can build-your-own pasta salad and the kids can participate in choosing the type of pasta, vegetables, or cheese they would like with it. You can even turn this dish into a complete meal by adding a source of protein such as chickpeas or chicken.

This is my favourite version...

Ingredients

250 grams spiral pasta (~5 cups cooked) - I prefer a whole grain, organic Italian pasta called 'Bella Italia'

1/4 of a red onion, chopped

1/2 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half

1/2 cup cucumber, diced

1/2 large yellow pepper, diced

1/4 cup light feta cheese, crumbled

4 large sprigs fresh basil leaves, chopped

Juice and zest from 1/2 lemon

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon oregano, dried

Sea salt and ground pepper to taste

Directions

1. Cook the pasta, rinse, and set aside to cool.

2. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, feta, and basil to a large bowl. Once pasta is cooled, add the pasta and mix well.

3. In a separate dish mix the lemon juice and zest, rice vinegar, oil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add to the pasta salad and toss.

4. Refrigerate and serve as a side dish.

Serves 4-6

Submitted by Brooke Bulloch, RD