Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese, Walnuts and Arugula 5pts

  • 4

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp chopped walnuts, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp table salt
  • 6 oz uncooked bow ties, also called farfalle
  • 2 cups arugula, baby leaves, stems removed
  • 2 Tbsp chives, fresh, minced
  • 1 cups grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil, extra-virgin
  • 1/4 tsp table salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp blue cheese, crumbled

Preparation

Step 1

POINTS Value:    5
Servings:  4
Preparation Time:  12 min
Cooking Time:  15 min
Level of Difficulty:  Easy
 
Place walnuts in a small, heavy-bottomed skillet. Toast nuts over medium-high heat until lightly browned, shaking skillet frequently, about 1 to 2 minutes; remove from skillet and set aside.

Bring 3 quarts of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a boil in a large pot. Stir in pasta and cook until tender, about 11 to 13 minutes; remove 1 tablespoon of pasta cooking water and save for dressing below. Drain pasta and place in a large serving bowl; immediately add arugula and toss well. Cover bowl with a lid or tight fitting plastic wrap; set aside until arugula is limp, about 5 minutes. Stir in chives and tomatoes.

In a cup, stir together vinegar, oil, reserved tablespoon of pasta cooking water, remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper in a cup. Pour dressing over pasta salad and toss well; sprinkle with blue cheese. Yields about 1 1/4 cups per serving.
Notes
If you're using mature arugula leaves, chop and add them to the pasta for 1 to 2 minutes at the end of the cooking time to blanch them. Drain the pasta and arugula, and immediately move to the next step of mixing the salad ingredients together.