V's Southwestern Pasta Salad

Vseward (Chef~V)'s Note:

If you like a citrus based dressing with rotini pasta, give this one a try. I make this salad for a nice refreshing twist for pasta salad. This is one of our family favorite Southwestern Salads. Enjoy as a side dish or add cooked chicken and make it a meal in one! Served chilled Bueno ;)

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

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 16 ounces rotini pasta
• ¼ cup light olive oil
• ½ cup fresh lime juice
• 1 ½ teaspoons cayenne , to taste
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
• 2 garlic cloves , crushed
• 1 tablespoon salsa , to taste
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1 ½ cups whole kernel corn (can, Frozen or Fresh)
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans , drained and rinsed
• ½ cup green bell pepper , diced
• ½ cup red bell pepper , diced
• ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves , rough chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes , halved
• 1 cup black olives , sliced
• ½ cup red onion

Garnish

• 1 large avocado , sliced

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. In a large bowl combine oil, vinegar, lime juice, cayenne, cumin, salt, garlic, dried cilantro and salsa.
3. Stir in corn, beans, green pepper, red pepper, tomatoes, olives and 1/2 of the cilantro leaves. Spoon onto a platter and garnish with avocado and remaining cilantro. Serve chilled.

Reviews

[Chef #1533190]

I substituted parsley and a little basil for the cilantro (instead of going to the store). I came out really good! I'll definitely make this one again!

[Chef #838461]

This salad is awesome. Even my husband, who normally dislikes noodles, gave it a thumbs up. Will make it again. And on the plus-side it is very healthy. Thanks for the recipe.

[~Leslie~]

This recipe is just wonderful! We were making it for a catered event, so had to triple it. I did it the lazy way and tripled it in my head, and must of made a mistake on the amount of lime juice, as it turned out pretty sour. No worres! I just added a little sugar and it was amazing! Very different twist from the regular mayo basaed pasta salads, give this one a try!! :)