Name: Artichoke Shrimp Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 package (16 ounces) bow tie pasta; 2 pounds peeled and deveined cooked shrimp (16-20 per pound); 2 cans (7-1/2 ounces each ) marinated quartered artichoke hearts, drained; 2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each ) sliced ripe olives, drained; 2 cups crumbled feta cheese; 8 green onions, sliced; 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley; 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil; DRESSING:; 1/2 cup white wine vinegar; 1/2 cup olive oil; 1/4 cup lemon juice; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; Fresh ground pepper, optional

Artichoke shrimp pasta salad serves a crowd yet stands out among the other summer potluck offerings with its layers of Mediterranean flavors, feta cheese and lemon vinaigrette.

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) bow tie pasta

2 pounds peeled and deveined cooked shrimp (16-20 per pound)

2 cans (7-1/2 ounces each ) marinated quartered artichoke hearts, drained

2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each ) sliced ripe olives, drained

2 cups crumbled feta cheese

8 green onions, sliced

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

DRESSING:

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Fresh ground pepper, optional

Instructions

1 Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Drain the pasta, rinse it with cold water and drain it well again.

2 Mix the salad

3 In a large bowl, combine the pasta, shrimp, artichoke hearts, olives, feta cheese, green onions, parsley and basil. Toss gently to mix.

4 Add the dressing

5 In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, oil, lemon juice, basil, mustard and, if desired, pepper. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss again to coat. Refrigerate the salad, covered, for two hours before serving. Editor's Tip: If an oily surface layer refuses to whisk into the dressing's other ingredients, seal everything in a jar and shake it vigorously until creamy. When making a dressing with olive oil, whisking or shaking works better than a food processor or blender—the high speed will only increase the oil's bitter notes.