A to Z Pasta Salad

I've lost count of how many times visitors to the Fatfree Vegan Recipes site have emailed me with the question, "What is that pasta dish in the photo at the top of your website, and how can I find the recipe?" It's always a little embarrassing for me to have to admit that I bought the photo from a stock photo service back before I started taking my own food photos for the site. I thought it resembled a pasta salad that I used to make often, but the truth is, the white chunky substance in the photo is more likely to be cheese than the tofu I hoped it would be taken for. Every time someone writes, I give them general instructions for making the pasta salad and promise that someday I'll get around to making it, taking my own photos, and posting the recipe.

Since I don't eat a lot of pasta anymore, that day has been a long time in coming. Recently, however, I needed to make a dish for a potluck, and since asparagus is once again affordable, I decided to make the pasta salad (even if it's definitely not salad weather here in frosty Mississippi). I call it "A to Z Pasta Salad" because the vegetables you can use start with Asparagus and end with Zucchini—so many variations are possible. The one unbreakable rule is to use only fresh vegetables and blanch them to soften slightly rather than cook them until mushy. Even at this time of year, it's refreshing to have a touch of spring on the dinner table.



A to Z Pasta Salad
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Use any fresh vegetables you like, instead of or in addition to the asparagus and zucchini. I've had great success with broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, yellow squash, mushrooms, and artichokes. Try to use only fresh herbs, if you can get them, and use a salad dressing that you know you like.

8 ounces extra-firm lite tofu (NOT silken)
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon water
1 clove garlic, slightly crushed

1 pound penne or other chunky pasta (use gluten-free rice pasta, if necessary)
1 bunch asparagus, tough ends removed and sliced into 1 1/2-inch pieces
2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch slices
1/2 yellow or red pepper, chopped
8 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes, halved if large
2-3 tablespoons fresh herbs of choice (I used basil, oregano, and parsley)
your favorite fat-free Italian salad dressing, to taste
salt and fresh pepper, to taste
optional: sliced black olives, added just before serving

Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch slices, and press each one gently between paper towels to remove excess moisture. Cut each slice into half-inch cubes.

Mix up a marinade of the soy sauce, cider vinegar, water, and garlic. Put the tofu into a bowl or zip-lock plastic bag and pour the marinade over it. Allow it to marinate for at least an hour, up to overnight, turning or stirring the tofu once in a while to make sure it all gets covered.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Remove the tofu from the marinade (discarding the marinade and garlic) and place it on an oiled or parchment-covered baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, and then turn and bake for 10 more. Edges should be just beginning to brown. Place the tofu cubes in a large serving bowl and toss with a little Italian dressing.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. (Add a small amount of salt, if you want.) Once it boils, drop the asparagus and zucchini pieces into it and blanch for exactly 1 1/2 minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon into a bowl filled with cold water. Once they have cooled, add them to the tofu.

Use the same pot of boiling water to cook the pasta according to package directions. Once it reaches the al dente stage, drain it in a colander and rinse it with cold water. (Be careful not to overcook; you want it to still have some "bite" to it so that it won't fall apart in the salad.) Drain it well and add it to the tofu and vegetables. Add the yellow or red pepper, tomatoes, and herbs and toss with enough salad dressing to coat but not drown the pasta. Add salt and fresh pepper to taste, and serve chilled or at room temperature. Makes enough for a crowd!

I'll be away for the next few days, celebrating the next holiday on the calendar, which is...? I'll give you a hint...the first word is Fat, but the second is definitely not Free. I'll be back sometime around...um...Tuesday!

Tags: vegan recipes vegetarian cooking food fat-free