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A Fresh Take on
Pasta Salads
A salad is just a salad until you add pasta.
Pasta salads are light and fresh, yet satisfying and filling. Pasta elements add dimension, comfort and heft, while other ingredients like fresh vegetables and herbs tie the salad together.
As with most one-bowl compositions, the possible combinations of ingredients are infinite. What kind of noodle? What type of protein? What kind of vegetables? And perhaps the most defining question: What will bind the pasta salad? Binding gives the salad that desired viscosity and mouthfeel, and also ramps up flavor.
Chef Basalik’s Tip:
When you’re creating composed salads and you want to keep it a bit lighter, consider binding the salad with a vinaigrette, or maybe Ranch or Caesar dressing. Another approach is to build on a vinaigrette by adding just a touch of mayonnaise for viscosity and body.
Jeff Basalik
Executive Corporate Chef
Kraft Culinary Centre
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