Welcome to Love With Recipes, your go-to destination for delightful and heartwarming culinary adventures! Today, we are thrilled to share with you a recipe that embodies the vibrant and sun-kissed flavors of the Mediterranean – Lou’s Mediterranean Salad. This salad is a true celebration of fresh ingredients, bringing together a medley of colorful vegetables, aromatic herbs, and zesty dressing to create a dish that is both nourishing and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re preparing it for a quick lunch, a family gathering, or a potluck, this Mediterranean delight is sure to be a hit. Let’s dive into the detailed and easy-to-follow instructions to create this exquisite salad!
Lou’s Mediterranean Salad
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Description: This delicious Mediterranean salad, bursting with vibrant colors and flavors, is perfect for any occasion. It’s a versatile dish that combines the goodness of fresh vegetables and pasta with a tangy, herb-infused dressing. Easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy, Lou’s Mediterranean Salad is a must-try from Love With Recipes!
Recipe Category: European
Keywords: “< 60 Mins"
Ingredients
- 12 ounces tri-color spiral pasta 🍝
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 🌿
- 1 cup diced tomatoes 🍅
- 3 cloves garlic 🧄
- 1 lemon, zest only 🍋
- 1 teaspoon salt 🧂
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper 🧂
- 1/4 cup fresh oregano 🌿
- 1 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped 🌿
- 1/4 cup capers 🌿
- 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved 🫒
- 1/4 cup Spanish olives, pitted and halved 🫒
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 🫒
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Calories | Fat Content (g) | Saturated Fat Content (g) | Cholesterol Content (mg) | Sodium Content (mg) | Carbohydrate Content (g) | Fiber Content (g) | Sugar Content (g) | Protein Content (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 552.4 | 29.8 | 6.4 | 14.7 | 1479.3 | 56.9 | 6.7 | 8.1 | 16.7 |
Servings: 6
Instructions
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Prepare the Green Beans: Begin by bringing a pot of water to a boil. Add the trimmed and cut green beans and cook them until they are tender-crisp, which should take about 4 to 6 minutes. Once done, drain them and set them aside to cool. 🌿
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Cook the Pasta: While the green beans are cooling, cook the tri-color spiral pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. This will also help to keep the pasta firm and perfect for the salad. 🍝
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Prepare the Dressing: In a food processor, drop in the garlic cloves and lemon zest while the machine is running. This technique helps to finely mince the garlic and zest, ensuring an even distribution of flavors in the dressing. 🧄🍋
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Add Herbs and Seasonings: Stop the food processor and add the salt, black pepper, fresh oregano, and chopped parsley. Pour in the extra virgin olive oil. Pulse the mixture a few times to chop the herbs and combine everything into a harmonious, aromatic dressing. 🌿🫒
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Incorporate Capers: Add the capers to the food processor and give it a couple of quick pulses. You want the capers to be just slightly chopped, adding a delightful burst of tanginess to the dressing. 🌿
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Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, diced tomatoes, cooled green beans, kalamata olives, and Spanish olives. Mix gently to ensure an even distribution of all the ingredients. 🍅🫒
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Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything well to coat the ingredients thoroughly with the dressing. Make sure every bite will be full of flavor! 🌿🫒
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Add Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and give it one final toss to incorporate the cheese into the mix. This adds a wonderful savory note to the salad. 🧀
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Let the Flavors Meld: Allow the salad to stand at room temperature for about 1 hour before serving. This resting time lets the flavors meld beautifully, making each bite more delicious than the last. ⏳
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Serve and Enjoy: Serve Lou’s Mediterranean Salad at room temperature. It’s perfect as a standalone dish or as a vibrant side to complement your main course. Enjoy the explosion of Mediterranean flavors with every forkful! 🍽️🌞
This Mediterranean salad is a fantastic example of how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special. The combination of fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and tangy dressing makes it a delightful dish that will surely become a staple in your culinary repertoire. Whether you’re serving it at a family dinner, a summer picnic, or a festive gathering, Lou’s Mediterranean Salad is guaranteed to impress and satisfy. Happy cooking and bon appétit from Love With Recipes! 🌿🍅🫒🧄🍋🍽️
