Pasta Salad

Kitty_N

I'm having a big BBQ this Sunday and I'm looking for a nice cold pasta salad. I've tried some from the internet before and they've turned out to be a bit....bleh and stodgy so I'm looking for something lighter, since it's probably just going to be filler for the carnivores.

I found a really nice one involving feta on the net before but promptly lost it.:rolleyes:

Thanks

Cathal01

Ingredients

• 11 ounces small shell pasta
• 3 garlic cloves
• 9 ounces yellow cherry tomatoes
• 9 ounces cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup black olives, pitted
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives
• 1/4 cup fresh basil
• 1 medium cucumber
• 4 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• sea salt
• fresh ground black pepper

Directions

1. 1
   
   Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil.
2. 2
   
   Throw in the pasta and garlic and simmer for about 5 minutes or until al dente, and drain.
3. 3
   
   Put the garlic to one side for the dressing.
4. 4
   
   Put the pasta in a bowl.
5. 5
   
   Chop the tomatoes, olives, chives, basil and cucumber into pieces about half the size of the pasta and add to the bowl.
6. 6
   
   Squash the garlic cloves out of their skins and pound in a pestle and mortar.
7. 7
   
   Add the vinegar, oil and seasoning.
8. 8
   
   Drizzle this over the salad, adding a little more seasoning to taste.