Thursday, August 09, 2007

Addicted to Salami

Yesterday,OCT's colleague dropped me an email requesting for a birthday cake tomorrow. Even though I have been volunteering cakes for friends' birthdays for some time now, having someone think of me as far as cake is concerned, is the first time. And you can imagine how flattered I am .

Of course, I graciously accept the honor. Even it's 100F out there, it's totally worth to turn on the oven. Well, I am not here to talk about the cake actually, since it's still in the making process.

Let's talk about dinner. Because I am going to put in 100% effort to make the brithday cake, we are going to have something simple for dinner. Yet something tasty to reward myself after the work. Giada De Laurentiis's Antipasto Salad comes to mind. We had it for dinner last week but OCT and I like it enough to bring it back to the dining table again. Besides, it will be in time to join Ruth's Presto Pasta Nights! One stones kills three birds, or rather one pasta satisfied many needs.

Whatever. These are only excuses for me to eat more salami. Besides butter, cream cheese and eggs, I now declare salami (or other form of cured meat) to be one of the "must have item" in our fridge. Well, I guess I am addicted to salami after eating some really good Genova Salami from the Italian neighborhood for the first time a few weeks back. Since then, I couldn't stop thinking about it, and week after week, we go back every Saturday to eat the shop's sandwich and salad. In which, there's a generous dose of salami involved.

When I first saw Giada's recipe, I know I am going to make it. And I tweaked it slightly by including some smoked salmon and omitting the green olive. A light and satisfying dinner for a hot summer night. This will be my contribution for Presto Pasta Nights .


Antipasto Salad


Antipasto Salad
adapted from Giada De Laurentiis's "Everyday Italian"

Red Wine Vinaigrette:
1 bunch fresh basil, stemmed and leaves chopped (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Antipasto Salad:
1 pound fusilli pasta
1/2 cup hard salami, cut into strips (about 3 ounces)
1/2 cup smoked turkey, cut into strips (about 3 ounces)
1/4 cup provolone cheese, cut into strips
1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese
2 tablespoons green olives, halved and pitted
2 tablespoons roasted red peppers, cut into strips
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper


Vinaigrette:
In a blender, add the basil, vinegar, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper. Blend until the herbs are finely chopped. With the machine running, drizzle in the olive oil until the dressing is smooth.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta.

In a large bowl, toss together the cooked pasta with the remaining salad ingredients. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Serve.

11 comments:

Anh said...

Mandy, this is so delicious! I wish I could have this for lunch! :D

Amy said...

My bf would LOVE this recipe, salami is one of his favorite things.

Ruth Daniels said...

I'm with you...salami is definitely always in my fridge! Great in a sandwich, frittata or omelet, salad, pasta....whatever!

Thanks so much for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights. Hope to see you back often.

Patricia Scarpin said...

Although I don't like red meat, I sometimes appreciate some good salami!
This pasta dish looks so good, Mandy!

And that birthday cake is gonna be the most fabulous OCT's colleague has ever had!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Thanks for sharing this recipe from Giada. I have just printed it so it will be on my table soon.

Deborah said...

This looks so good! I'm almost tempted to change my menu for tonight....

Anonymous said...

I love salami on pizza, too. But good salami is important. I wish I had a "source" just down the street. Beautiful pasta dish!

Truffle said...

Oh I absolutely love the sound of this! As a fellow salami addict I am desperate to try this!

Mandy said...

anh,
thanks!

amy,
your bf is lucky to have you. You are such a talented cook and baker. :)

ruth,
I will try my best :)

Patricia,
thanks for the kind words.

valli,
let me know if you like the pasta!

deborah, lynn and truffle,
thanks!

Big Boys Oven said...

This dish looks so warm and inviting... yummy. Do visit us.

Suganya said...

This so delish!....

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