Pasta Salad - Vegetarian

Pasta Salad - Vegetarian

I was  just going through my fridge to see what I could make and came up with this.  I didn't think to take photos because it was nothing special.  But it turned out awesome so i'm sharing it with you!

 

Ingredients:

8 sticks of asparagus

1/2lb of broccoli - just the florettes

3 tomatoes

1 bulb fennel

3 green onions

2/3 cup chopped feta cheese

1 lb of whole wheat penne pasta

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar

1 1/2 tbsp Dijon or stone ground mustard

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

2 tsps Italian herbs

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Put on some water, a lot, in a large stock pot,  on high heat to bring to a boil.  While you're waiting on that, trim the asparagus and chop into bite size pieces and chop off the tops of the broccoli, cut into bite size pieces.   Put them off to the side.  Trim the fennel - cut off the end and chop off the stalks, but keep the little fronds of the vegetable cut them into little pieces like you would any herb.     Keep them off to the side.  Cut the fennel in hall and then in three pieces longways.  Then chop into fine pieces.  Do the same with the other half.  Put those with the frond leaves.  Chop off the tops of the tomatoes and chop into 1/2 inch pieces.  Put those with the fennel and leaves in a huge bowl.  

Make sure to put the pasta in the water when it comes to a boil.  Set alarm for 8 mins.  When the timer goes off add the broccoli and asparagus to the pot and continue to boil for  4 more mins.  During that make the dressing:  oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic and onion powder, Italian herbs, salt and pepper.  Add dressing to the vegetables you cut up.  When the pasta and other vegetables are done strain them.  Toss them about to cool them off but don't run them under cool water!!   Chop the green onions fine.  Then while the pasta is still very warm but touchable add to the vegetables soaking in the dressing and toss real well.  Put the green onions on top but don't continue to stir.  Put in the refrigerator for at least a couple hrs.  Stir before you serve.  

 

I only took a picture of the finished product after i'd had some - so here's what your end product should look like: