Description
This Dirty Martini Pasta Salad is a unique twist on a classic dish, combining the flavors of a dirty martini with a refreshing pasta salad. Tangy olives, creamy feta cheese, and a zesty dressing make this a perfect summer side dish or light main course.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta:
- 1/2 pound pasta of choice
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup olive brine
- 1 clove fresh minced garlic
- Zest of half a lemon
- Juice of 1/4 lemon
- Black pepper to taste
Additional:
- 1 cup pitted large green olives, roughly chopped
- 100g feta cheese, cubed or blue cheese crumbles
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- Make the Dressing: Combine olive oil, olive brine, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and black pepper in a mason jar. Shake to combine.
- Assemble the Salad: In a bowl, mix pasta, olives, and feta. Add dressing and toss to coat.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust with more pepper, lemon juice, or salt if needed.
- Serve: Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Very lightly salt the pasta water and taste before adding more salt.
- Use any type of olives, but green olives are classic.
- Gluten-free pasta can be used.
- Chill the salad for flavors to blend.
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
