Mediterranean pasta salad

Spicy Italian sausages are the hidden delight in this traditional Mediterranean salad. 

Preparation Time

10 minutes

Cooking Time

10 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 250g San Remo Large Shells No. 29
• 4 Italian-style sausages
• 2 green zucchini, halved lengthways, thinly sliced crossways
• 100g bought chargrilled capsicum, drained on paper towel, thinly sliced
• 180g (1 cup) sun-dried tomatoes drained on paper towel, thickly sliced
• 145g (1 cup) pitted kalamata olives
• 150g feta, crumbled
• 1/2 cup loosely packed finely shredded fresh basil
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 2 tbs red wine vinegar
• Salt & freshly ground black pepper

 

Method

1. Cook the San Remo pasta in a large saucepan of salted boiling water following packet directions or until al dente. Drain. Refresh under cold running water, then drain.
2. Meanwhile, heat a medium non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and cook, turning occasionally, for 5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate. Add the zucchini to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat and set aside for 5 minutes to cool.
3. Thinly slice the sausages diagonally and place in a large serving bowl. Add the pasta, zucchini, capsicum, sun-dried tomato, olives, feta and half the basil, and gently toss to combine. Drizzle with the oil and vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Gently toss to combine. Sprinkle with remaining basil and serve immediately.

Greek rissoles

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 400g lamb mince
• 1 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind
• 2 tablespoons sliced black olives, chopped
• 100g Greek feta, cut into 12 cubes
• steamed rice, shredded baby cos lettuce leaves and tzatziki dip, to serve

 

Method

1. Combine mince, oregano, lemon rind, olives, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Using clean hands, shape mixture into 12 balls. Using the palm of your hand, flatten balls. Wrap around feta cubes and shape into 1.5cm-thick rissoles. Place on a plate.
2. Cook rissoles, in a large frying pan sprayed with oil, over medium-high heat, for 3 to 4 minutes each side or until cooked through.
3. Combine rice and lettuce. Serve rissoles with rice mixture and tzatziki.

Bocconcini 'eyeball' tarts with olive 'bugs'

Boo! Halloween is almost here, so put on your scariest outfit and invite everyone around for these terrifying treats. 

Makes

24

Ingredients

• 2 cups (500ml) good-quality tomato pasta sauce
• 12 baby bocconcini, halved
• 12 stuffed olives, halved
• 1 large rosemary sprig, leaves picked
• 12 kalamata olives
• 24 ready-made mini savoury tart cases

 

Method

1. Place the tomato sauce in a pan over medium heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally to prevent catching.
2. Press half a stuffed olive (pimento-side up) into the rounded side of the bocconcini to create 'eyeballs'. To make the bugs, stick 6 rosemary leaves (3 on each side) into the kalamata olives to form legs.
3. When ready to serve, warm the sauce in a pan over low heat. Spoon into pastry cases, then press a bocconcini half into each one. Serve the eyeballs on a platter surrounded by bugs.

Cheese and Olive Butterflake Rolls

INGREDIENTS

 

2       frozen butterflake dinner rolls

1/4    cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese

1       tablespoon finely chopped pimiento-stuffed Spanish olives

1       tablespoon mayonnaise or salad dressing

 

DIRECTIONS

 

1 Bake rolls as directed on bag, using muffin cups. 2 Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix remaining ingredients. 3 Slightly separate each roll into 4 or 5 sections, not separating all the way to the bottom. Spoon cheese mixture between sections. Return to muffin cups; bake 2 to 3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

This recipe is easy to multiply as desired to serve for a party!