I am definitely not a vegetarian. But, I love working with vegetarian recipes as bases for dinners. Let me explain. Something about not being able to fall back on the use of meat forces many of these dish’s recipe developers feel like they have to work harder to have flavor and be an interesting meal. Those beginnings, with meat added are usually great recipes! Here is a really good, solid pasta salad, with or without a meat presence (could be a side).
Then, I sometimes adapt it for dinners by adding shredded chicken. (As the husband always says, it’s not a real dinner without meat!)
KALE PASTA SALAD
Serves 3-4
1 bunch kale, de-stemed and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 bell pepper, sliced
1 cup mozzarella balls
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
1 cup grapes, halved
1 pound tri-color pasta, cooked al dente
1/2 red onion, diced
1/4 cup gorgonzola, crumbled
1/4 cup pine nuts
Salt & pepper
Heat kale and garlic in a skillet over medium heat. Add peppers and garlic (and a splash of balsamic) just before kale wilts. Saute until wilted. Season with salt & pepper. Stir kale together with mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, grapes, pasta, red onion, gorgonzola, and pine nuts.
In a separate bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, and olive oil. Drizzle dressing over salad. Season with salt & pepper.
- 1 bunch kale, de-stemed and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella balls
- ½ cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup grapes, halved
- 1 pound tri-color pasta, cooked al dente
- ½ red onion, diced
- ¼ cup gorgonzola, crumbled
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- Salt & pepper
- Heat kale and garlic in a skillet over medium heat. Add peppers and garlic (and a splash of balsamic) just before kale wilts. Saute until wilted. Season with salt & pepper.
- Stir kale together with mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, grapes, pasta, red onion, gorgonzola, and pine nuts.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, and olive oil. Drizzle dressing over salad.
- Season with salt & pepper.