Pasta Salad With Tomatoes Mozzarella And Chickpeas Recipes

PASTA SALAD WITH TOMATOES, MOZZARELLA, AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Using the side of a chef's knife, mash garlic with 1 teaspoon salt into a paste. Transfer to a small bowl; whisk in lemon juice, vinegar, oregano, and oil. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. In a fine-mesh sieve, toss tomatoes with 1 teaspoon salt; let stand 15 minutes to drain.
• Cook pasta in generously salted water according to package directions until cooked all the way through. Drain (but don't rinse, which would waterlog the noodles), then spread on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with half of vinaigrette. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss fennel, capers and brine, chickpeas, mozzarella, and salted tomatoes with remaining vinaigrette. Add pasta; toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate up to a day ahead; let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes before serving. (Cold pasta salad is too firm and less flavorful.) Toss with Parmigiano-Reggiano and parsley; serve.

PENNE WITH GRAPE TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Add chickpeas to pot; immediately drain pasta mixture, and return to pot.
• Add tomatoes, bocconcini, thyme, oil, and vinegar to pasta. Toss, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a thin sauce that coats penne (you may not need all the water). Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. Serve, garnished with additional thyme.

PENNE, TOMATO, AND MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water as directed on package, until just tender. Drain, and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a small saucepan. Add green onions and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 or 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, and cook for 2 minutes. Add pasta, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat to warm through. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Coarsely tear basil leaves in halves or thirds; add to pasta with olives, and serve immediately.

SUMMER PASTA WITH TOMATOES AND CHICK PEAS

Steps:

• Combine the tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, basil, and olive oil in a wide bowl. Let sit for 15 minutes. Stir in the chick peas. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt and the pasta. Cook al dente, until the pasta is firm to the bite. Drain, toss with the tomatoes and chick peas, sprinkle on the cheese, and serve.