Showing posts with label red wine vinegar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label red wine vinegar. Show all posts

Sunday, November 6, 2011

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.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Heirloom tomato salad















'Heirloom' tomato varieties (grown from seed passed down for hundreds of years) come in many colours, shapes and sizes, and have great flavour compared to many commerical varieties. Look out for tomatoes such as ox-heart, Black Russian, and Chef's Choice at growers' markets and some greengrocers, or pay a visit to the nursery and grow them yourself over summer. 

Ingredients (serves 6)

  • 1kg mixed heirloom tomatoes, sliced
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbs red wine vinegar
  • Pinch of caster sugar
  • Small basil leaves, to garnish

 

Method

  1. Lightly whish the olive oil, vinegar and sugar. Season well with salt and pepper. Lay tomatoes on a platter, drizzle the dressing over and scatter with basil.