Tuna Pasta Salad With Warm Black Olive Vinaigrette

JackieOhNo!'s Note:

Whenever a salad calls for tuna, I prefer to use a can of Italian olive oil-packed tuna. It has a more robust flavor and makes the tuna a little less ordinary.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 12 ounces whole wheat penne
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon capers , rinsed, drained, and chopped
• ½ cup kalamata olive , pitted and roughly chopped
• ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley , chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tuna , drained

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
2. Meanwhile, heat 3 T. of the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the capers and olives and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the parsley and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
3. Add the lemon juice, pepper, and the remaining oil.
4. Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water, and top with the tuna and olive vinaigrette.
5. Serve immediately .

Reviews

[Annacia]

Truly delicious. I didn't have whole wheat penne but I did have e whole multi-grain spaghetini so used that. The flavors just come alive and make you feel like your on the Italian Rivera. Very good grade extra virgin oil and fresh lemon juice are imperative here and the salty mildly pungent capers and Kalamatas is wonderful. I would recommend that you cook use coarse fresh ground pepper and cook it in the oil along with the other items. Strong simple flavors can make a wonderful when paired as these were.

[Crafty Lady 13]

This was a quick and easy recipe to make. I have never used whole wheat pasta before, and think I prefer the taste and texture of regular pasta better. I really liked the vinaigrette. I enjoyed the flavor of the lemon juice and black olives in this salad. I think next time I will use regular penne pasta and increase the amount of black olives. Made for ZWT4.