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question about pasta salad

11 years ago

Good morning. I want to make a pasta salad for a get together. I am planning on pasta (penne or bowties), spinach, sundried tomato, feta cheese calamata and green olives. If I cook the pasta then toss the raw spinach with the hot pasta will the spinach "cook" enough. I guess the other option would be to add the spinach after cooling the pasta but I think I want it a bit wilted. I will use olive oil and wine vinegar for dressing. Thanks in advance. Satine

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Comments (7)

anne_ct
11 years ago
Considering that spinach can be eaten raw [uncooked] without health concerns. Satine...I don't think you need be concerned from that point of view. As for the hot pasta wilting it...I think it will as long as the spinach leafs aren't too large for the area of hot pasta. If you're concerned about that success...simply retain the pasta hot water and dip the spinach leaves [in a strainer] into it before mixing them into the pasta dish.

Your salad sounds absolutely delicious! Lucky guests!

Anne
party_music50
11 years ago
satine, that sounds like my kind of salad! have you used this combo before or are you experimenting a little?

I think you'll get the partially wilted spinach you want if you put the spinach in the bottom of the bowl, cover it with the hot (freshly drained) pasta, give it a stir so that all the spinach is warmed, and then add the remaining ingredients and dressing.

Note: I think I'd let the spinach come to room-temp first.

This post was edited by party_music50 on Sat, Jan 31, 15 at 12:45
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satine_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the responses. I feel a little better about this now. I am just experimenting although I have made something similar to this with orzo, pesto and sundried tomato. Now that I think about it I may add squeeze of lemon juice. I'll let you know how it turns out. Satine
YogaLady1948
11 years ago
I am a vegetarian so I make a salad like this to take to parties. I have something to eat and most folks love it. I made it for my DIL's baby shower, I made it big since my younger DD and her BF are also vegetarians~~~we almost did not get any every one swarmed on it.

Mine is lots of fresh baby spinach, cheese tortillini, sun dried tomatoes, fresh baby tomatoes if I have any, what ever is your fave oil based salad dressing then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. I make it early the day let it all blend together this wilts the spinach a bit.

In the fall Trader Joe's sells the most yummy pumpkin ravioli, I cook it earlier in the day, chill them. I do cut them in half or quarters and use them in the salad yummy!
ellendi
11 years ago
Satine, would you mind posting the orzo pesto salad recipe? Thanks.
satine_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Ellendi, if I can find it I will. I think I can remember it but I'll look for it. Satine
ellendi
11 years ago
Thanks, Satine!

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