The recipe of the month is a Roasted Asparagus and Tomato Penne Salad with Goat Cheese! Asparagus comes to season in the Spring and has many health benefits including its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients. This recipe comes from cooking light magazine.
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked penne or mostaccioli (tube-shaped pasta)
- 12 asparagus spears
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 3/8 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 tablespoon minced shallots
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried herbes de Provence
- 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
- 2 cups baby arugula
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled goat cheese
Preparation
- 1. Preheat oven to 400°.
- 2. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain and set aside.
- 3. Place asparagus and tomatoes on a jelly-roll pan. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss gently to coat; arrange asparagus and tomato mixture in a single layer. Bake at 400° for 6 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Remove asparagus from pan. Place pan back in oven, and bake tomatoes an additional 4 minutes. Remove tomatoes from pan; let asparagus and tomatoes stand 10 minutes. Cut asparagus into 1-inch lengths; halve tomatoes.
- 4. Combine shallots and the next 4 ingredients (through honey) in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add remaining 3 tablespoons oil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Stir in remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- 5. Place pasta, asparagus, tomato, olives, and arugula in a large bowl; toss. Drizzle juice mixture over pasta mixture; toss. Sprinkle with cheese.