Adapted from Cooking Light
Makes 2 Servings
2 oz. uncooked rotini pasta
3 oz. artichoke hearts (from jar), drained
1.5 oz. turkey pepperoni
1 oz. fat-free feta cheese
1 oz. fat-free mozzarella cheese
10 grape tomatoes, quartered
4 oz. roasted red peppers (from jar), drained
¼ cup Light Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing (I used newman’s)
2 basil leaves, minced
1/8 tsp pepper
Optional: ½ cup mushrooms; ¼ cup green pepper; ¼ onion diced
Cook pasta; drain, rinse with cold water and place in bowl #1. In bowl #2, combine artichoke hearts, pepperoni, cheese and tomatoes. Stir in salad dressing, basil and pepper. Place roasted red pepper in blender; process until smooth. Add pepper mixture to pasta/bowl #1. Stir. Add pasta mixture to artichoke mixture and toss well. In bowl #3, combine lettuce, mushrooms, onions and green peppers. Toss. Add artichoke/pasta mixture to bowl #3. Toss well! Serve with pita (1 pita smeared with 1 tsp olive oil and sprinkled with rosemary and kosher salt baked for 5 minutes at 450 degrees).
Nutritional Information: 450 calories, 61 carbs, 13 fat grams and 26 protein grams (with pita). For You Low-Carbers: Without pita: 370 calories, 49 carbs, 11 fat grams and 26 protein grams. Without noodles AND pita: 270 calories, 28 carbs, 10 far grams and 22 protein grams.
Review: Great salad! Very flavorful with the pepperoni and balsamic. I also liked having it with the pita to dip in the dressing - yum! Yes, I’m the only person on earth who can make a salad with almost as many carbs as my fried rice recipe!! Haha I knew the noodles would push it over but didn’t realize how all of those veggies would add up – who knew??! Anyway – we loved it! Super filling and fabulous, definitely hit the spot. Can’t wait to make another salad and try more salad dressings. Speaking of – the dressing was GREAT – I’m a fan – I want more ASAP.
