Fresh, vibrant, and sweet-savory, this blueberry pasta salad combines juicy berries, tender pasta, and a tangy dressing for the perfect summer side dish.
Ingredients
Vinaigrette:
- Champagne vinegar: It can be harder to find this type of vinegar in grocery stores, so if you’re having trouble sourcing it, the fruit-forward and mild flavor of apple cider vinegar is an excellent substitute.
- Maple syrup: For the best and richest flavor, use pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup. Honey would also be a great (bear-approved!) option.
- Lemon juice and zest: Use a Microplane to zest the lemon before juicing it.
- Olive oil: Flavorful extra virgin olive oil vs. olive oil is better to use in vinaigrettes and other homemade salad dressing recipes like this one.
- Blueberries: The blueberries are mashed prior to mixing all the ingredients together to avoid overblending the blueberries, which can result in a bitter flavor.
- Seasonings: The vinaigrette is seasoned simply with salt and pepper.
Pasta salad:
- Pasta: Use a short-cut pasta, such as farfalle, rotini or shells, for this recipe. The nooks and crannies in these pasta shapes hold on to the vinaigrette and other salad ingredients.
- Vegetables: Chopped cucumber, red onion and yellow pepper add crunch, color and plenty of fresh vegetable flavor to the blueberry pasta salad.
- Feta: Cotija, queso fresco or goat cheese would also be tasty options.
- Salmon: The recipe call for 8 ounces of flaked smoked salmon fillets.
- Nuts: Sliced almonds add crunch to the salad. You can also choose another nut, such as chopped pecans, walnuts or pistachios. For added flavor, toast the nuts before adding them to the salad.
- Fresh herbs: This recipe calls for fresh basil and dill, but freshly chopped tarragon or lemon balm would also be delicious additions.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the pasta
In a large pot, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse the pasta in cold water and transfer to a large bowl.
Step 2: Combine the ingredients
Add the diced cucumber, chopped red onion, yellow bell pepper and crumbled feta cheese.
Step 3: Make the blueberry vinaigrette
Add 1 cup blueberries to a high-powered blender or bowl if you plan to use an immersion blender. Add the champagne vinegar, maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, salt and pepper. Blend to combine all the ingredients.
Step 4: Toss the vinaigrette with the salad
Pour about 1 cup of the blueberry vinaigrette over the pasta mixture. Toss to coat. Add more dressing if desired.
Gently mix in the dill, basil, smoked salmon and the remaining blueberries.
Refrigerate until ready to serve, stirring in any reserved vinaigrette and the sliced almonds just before serving.
Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/
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