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The best BLT pasta salad recipe

The best pasta BLT salad with spinach that is the perfect side for a BBQ or braai
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The best BLT pasta salad
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes

Ingredients

Dressing

  • ½ cup Greek yoghurt
  • ½ cup low fat Hellman’s mayonnaise
  • 4 anchovies
  • 1 clove garlic crushed
  • a few basil leaves – about 6 medium
  • 2 Tbsp good quality white wine vinegar
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tbsp water
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes
  • Generous few grinds of black pepper

Pasta salad

  • 250 gms fusilli pasta or any other short pasta
  • 250 gms Medley of tomatoes mixed baby rainbow tomatoes
  • 250 gm streaky smoked bacon 1 pack
  • 60 gms baby spinach leaves
  • 20 gms chives finely chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 200c/ 400F and place the bacon on a bacon tray. Line the tray with foil to make washing up easier. When the oven is ready, roast the bacon for 15 minutes and until golden brown and crispy
  • Bring a medium pot of salty water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to suspend the cooking process. Drain and set aside.
  • Cut the tomatoes and the chives and set them aside.
  • To make the dressing blitz all the ingredients in a small food processor until smooth and emulsified.
  • When you are ready to serve, toss all the salad ingredients with as much of the dressing as you like. I used about ¾ of it. Adjust the seasoning and if necessary add more salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
  • This salad can be made in advance but the spinach leaves will wilt and the bacon will lose its crunch. You could make the rest in advance and then add the spinach & bacon just before. This is totally up to you.

Notes

The pasta and dressing can be made in advance and assembled just before serving.
This salad keeps well in the fridge for a day or two.
Servings: 4
Author: Sam Linsell