Bow Ties With Tomatoes, Feta, and Balsamic Dressing

kittycatmom's Note:

This recipe features a surprise ingredient–green grapes–that add the just-right amount of sweetness to the simple, two-step pasta dinner. Serve with pan-grilled asparagus

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 6 ounces uncooked farfalle pasta (bow tie pasta)
• 2 cups grape tomatoes , halved
• 1 cup green seedless grape , halved
• 1⁄3; cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaf
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chopped shallots
• 2 teaspoons capers (or 2 teaspoons chopped green olives)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 (4 ounce) package crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain. Combine cooked pasta, tomatoes, grapes, and basil in a large bowl.
2. While pasta cooks, combine vinegar and next 6 ingredients (through pepper) in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add oil to vinegar mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Drizzle vinaigrette over pasta mixture; toss well to coat. Add cheese; toss to combine.
3. (Pan-grilled asparagus: Combine 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1 pound trimmed asparagus. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add asparagus to pan; cook 5 minutes or until tender, turning once.).

Reviews

[Michael Keizer]

Very nice, on the whole with a good balance; however, the capers jarred a bit, and a second version I made without them was decidedly better. It improves even further with fresh garlic instead of the bottled stuff.

[CaraLynnie]

I really liked this. Perfect summer meal!

[Wish I Could Cook]

Superb! I'm putting this in my "good enough for company" cookbook. The tomatoes and grapes are an excellent combination and the vinagrette is just the right touch. I used whole wheat spirals and red grapes, but will try green next time just to see which color combo I like better. I'm quite sure either color will be just as delicious. (I also used the red balsamic vinegar and it still looks and tastes great!)