I don't know what it is about a combination of depression and a quick change in weather that really makes it difficult for me to eat. Don't get me wrong - I am so happy that we are finally having Fall weather! I love it! My brain doesn't always, but with Halloween, cold weather, comfy clothes and everything smelling like apple cider or pumpkin pie, it does something for my soul.
On today's episode (blog) I wanted to make this Pasta Salad recipe I found. It has so many good foods in it like beans, herbs and tomatoes. It looked super colorful and that's what my eye stomach needs - lots of color. I may be white, but I HATE beige food. It just makes me feel icky when it's not pared with other natural colors in the world. This was a pretty easy recipe to do. Boil some noods and cut up a bunch of veggies and herbs to add later. The dressing was super easy to make as well. Had a fun time emulsifying it!
Here's everything you need to make it:
- 3 cups uncooked fusilli pasta
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 cup cucumbers sliced into half moons
- 1 cup Feta cheese
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- salt to taste
I started by seasoning some water in a pot and waiting for it to come to a rolling boil. While that was going, I made the dressing. Chopped up all the garlic and added that to a bowl with all the other dressing components. Then whisked until it was all well mixed.
I cut up the cucumbers and halved the cherry tomatoes. As well as drained and washed my chickpeas. Once the pasta was done, I strained it, added it to a large bowl and covered it with olive oil so that the pasta wouldn't stick.
I let that sit for a bit. Turns out the pasta still kinda sticks together, but you can easily break it up with a spoon. Once it was cooled to room temp, I add all the bits and mixed, mixed, mixed! Topped it off with some more lemon juice, olive oil and salt and damn.
THIS WAS SO GOOD. Some pasta salads get that weird after taste in my experience, but not this one! Not only was it super tasty, it kept me really full for the rest of the day. I mean, I did eat my lunch at 4 pm....and got actually hungry again at 9pm..but hey, that's pretty good to have a meal that keeps you full for a whole 5 hours!
I'm not used to that since I usually don't even eat, and when I do...it's not the healthiest options.
All this to say, I had another very successful episode of Away with Sad! We set out to make a food to eat and not only did we complete that, it was also tasty! So now I have lunch for the whole week!!! I definitely suggest this recipe to anyone who likes fresh pasta salad with no weird after taste!
Well, I have no idea what I'm going to do next, but hopefully it will make me happy just like this pasta salad did!