Greek Style Pasta Salad

How to make a Greek Style Pasta Salad.

Ingredients: Serves 6

• 16 oz dry penne or rotini pasta
• 8 oz feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
• 1 cucumber, diced, seeded (peeled or unpeeled)
• ½ red pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cups  pitted Kalamata olives, drained
• 1 medium red onion, diced
• 1 cup pepperoncinis, chopped
• Fresh basil, chopped
• Coarse ground black pepper

For the dressing:

• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tsp fresh basil, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed
• Pinch of sugar

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. Drain in a colander, rinse with cold water and drain again, then set aside.
3.  In a large bowl, add tomatoes, cucumber, olives, onions, pepperoncinis, feta cheese and fresh basil.
4. Gently toss together and add the pasta.
5. For the dressing, place the red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano, salt, pepper, fresh basil, lemon juice, garlic and sugar in a jar with lid.
6. Shake well to mix.
7. Drizzle dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat.
8. If you need to, add more olive oil.
9. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours or overnight for the best flavour.
10. When ready to serve, toss the pasta salad again, garnish with fresh pepper and basil, and enjoy cold or at room temperature.