Festive Pasta Salad

By: Linda Engelbrecht

It’s almost the festive season (who are we kidding, we’ve been amped for the holidays since October, right?) I love how my approach to food during the holiday season has evolved. I used to use it as an opportunity to eat ALL OF THE THINGS, but thankfully as I have matured, I know that I prefer to keep my meals simple and fresh but with a little touch of flair to make it feel ‘special’ without having to be indulgent or unhealthy.

This festive pasta salad is perfect for our South African summer festivities. Perfect as a side or full on meal.

Serves 2 (Hungry People)

Salad ingredients:

• ½ Box Happy Earth people Chickpea or Lentil pasta
• 5-10 cherry tomatoes
• ½ head fresh broccoli, cut into small florets
• Handful mange tout (sliced lengthways)
• 2 celery stalks, chopped into discs
• 2 radishes, thinly sliced
• 1 red apple, diced into cubes (or chunks)
• 2-3 tbsp lightly roasted walnuts (optional although recommended)
• 3 tbsp dried cranberries
• Handful micro herbs (for the festive flair)
• Salt & Pepper

Dressing ingredients:

• 1 ripe avo
• ¼ cup coconut cream
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp honey (optiona)
• Salt & Pepper

Method:

1. Bring the pasta to the boil and let cook until al dente (approx. 5 min) then drain, rinse and set aside until cool.
2. Chop all the fresh ingredients and mix together with the cold pasta.
3. For the dressing, blend the avo, coconut cream and remaining ingredients in a high speed blender, or with a hand blender until smooth (you can also just mash it up by hand – it will be slightly chunkier but still delicious).
4. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir through until well combined.

Serving suggestion:

Season as per taste preference, add a dash of extra lemon juice and enjoy with your loved ones.

About the author:

The Honest Grazer started as a passion project in a pursuit to find a simpler, more honest way of eating. With a strong focus on whole, plant-based food and striving to make more sustainable life choices, Linda hopes to discover and inspire others through her experiments in the kitchen.

For more delicious recipes like these follow Linda on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.