146.6...Tomato Feta Pasta Salad

The Bunco salad recipes continue with Tomato Feta Pasta Salad. Ina Garten hit one out of the ballpark with this one as well!

Tomato Feta Pasta Salad (Serves 6 to 8)

Recipe from Ina Garten 

Ingredients:

1/2 pound fusilli (spirals) pasta

Kosher salt

Good olive oil

1 pound ripe tomatoes, medium-diced

3/4 cup good black olives, such as kalamata, pitted and diced

1 pound good feta cheese, medium-diced

6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

For the dressing:

5 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained

2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

6 Tbsp good olive oil

1 garlic clove, diced

1 tsp. capers, drained

1 tsp. kosher salt

3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water with a splash of oil to keep it from sticking together. Boil for 12 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Drain well and allow to cool. 

2. Place the pasta in a bowl and add the tomatoes, olives, feta and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

3. For the dressing, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers, salt and pepper in a food processor until almost smooth.

4. Pour the dressing over the pasta, sprinkle with the Parmesan and parsley, and toss well.

Printable Recipe

Tuesday night the kids wanted to go to Olive Garden for dinner so off we went. I’m not thing biggest OG fan but I do love their salad:

I ordered one of their new items on their “lighter fare” menu: Tilapia Piccata:

It was actually pretty tasty. It was under 400 calories and plenty filling. Score!

Wednesday’s breakfast:

I took my son to camp, then my daughter and I went to her orthodontist appointment, then to get our nails done. Lunch was at Crust Pizzeria. I ordered their slice and salad lunch special. I had the pesto, heirloom tomato and mozzarella pizza and a Caesar salad.

The pizza was a bit dry unfortunately. I had been there before and liked it so maybe it was just a fluke this time.

For dinner, I met some friends at Pacific Coast Grill. Here’s a place that I’ve never had a bad meal. Their food never disappoints. Besides the fabulous food and company, we got to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the water. 

We all shared the White Truffle House-Cut Kennebec Fries (tossed with sea salt, Reggiano Parmigiano & parsley):

Of course these were good!

Alicia and I shared a few things. Yellowtail Tartare Stack (with avocado habanero mango sauce and sesame ginger wontons):

While it was good, it was our least favorite. I think because we ordered two sushi rolls that were outstanding!!!

PGA Rainbow Roll (salmon, ahi, hamachi, shrimp, crab, unagi, shishito peppers and jalapeno ponzu):

Cardiff Reef Roll (spicy tuna, lump crab, tempura jalapeños, avocado & ginger ponzu sauce):

I don’t know which one I liked better. They both were excellent! 

We enjoyed two different desserts.

Dark Chocolate Custard (black lava salt pretzel crust served with Kona coffee gelato, black pepper-cherry sauce & macadamia nuts)

White Chocolate Bread Pudding (with caramel bourbon sauce)

Both were so good but the bread pudding was the stand out for me! Fabulous meal!

Can’t wait to go back!

Breakfast: 

I took my son to camp, went to an appointment, then home for lunch. Tuna sandwich, veggies and ranch dressing:

We have a trip coming up and I need to get a whole lot of packing done today! 

Have you been traveling or are going to travel this summer?

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