Monday 15 January 2018

Pasta Salad


Yes, folks. I am eating carbs more often now that I've somewhat achieved my target weight. The important thing that I must take note is not to overeat.

It's wonderful to be able to enjoy the occasional noodles, rice and bread without having to abstain for the sake of keeping to a low-carb diet. No more looking wistfully at my dining companion's rice or noodles or fries. Now I just wallop!


So last weekend I made a pasta salad because I remembered eating a delicious pasta salad many years ago at Marche@The Curve. That was also the time when I discovered how much I loved Italian parsley.

To make a pasta salad, what you need is pretty much a good dressing, your favorite pasta, some form of protein and vegetables.


I grilled some spicy Hungarian sausages as my protein and cherry tomatoes for the vegetables. And then loads of Italian parsley to garnish.


This pasta salad can keep for a few days in the fridge and I have incorporated it into part of my food prep for the week. It's great to have food in the fridge which means that I don't have to eat out.


Pasta Salad 
Recipe source : Adapted from Pinch of Yum

Salad ingredients :
- 350g spiral pasta, cooked according to packet instructions
- 4 Hungarian spicy sausages, grilled and cut into coins
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, each sliced into two
- 1 big onion, thinly sliced
- a generous handful of Italian parsley, finely minced

Dressing ingredients :
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp dry oregano
- 1 tsp dry parsley

Method :
1. To make the dressing, put all ingredients into a blender and blend until emulsified. Pour dressing onto a  jar and store in the fridge.
2. Put all the salad ingredients into a big mixing bowl and toss with dressing to taste (you may not use all of the dressing. Any excess just store in the fridge for other salads).
3. Serve immediately or chill for later.

26 comments:

  1. Oh? So what was your target weight? I cut out noodles and went down instantly but after around a month, I started putting on again...without eating noodles. So I just went back to eating them.

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    Replies
    1. The challenge is maintaining the weight after losing it. I have gone up and down far too many times :(

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  2. I must get tips from you, I always fail in losing weight...

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    Replies
    1. I learnt that portion control is important. I like to eat a lot and that made me put on weight.

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  3. I used to pack pasta salads like these for my lunch.

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    Replies
    1. They are very convenient to pack and so tasty.

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  4. Still not acquired to pasta salad. Seldom order it when dine out. Much prefer potato salad or green salad. ^^

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  5. Yeah, I loose weight when I cut out carbs..and then put them on again when I start eating carbs again...haiz! :( I once bought a bottle of white wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar and both went to waste (expired) as I don't make salads often enough at home to fully utilise them. Now I'm tempted to buy red wine vinegar (seeing this salad dressing of yours)...what does that taste like in comparison to white? And do you have any other suggestions on how I can fully utilise this red wine vinegar other than as salad dressing? ;)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Between white and red wine vinegar, I prefer red. It has a more robust flavor. I find the taste of white wine vinegar too mild, so I don't buy anymore. Besides salad dressing, you can use it for making pickles. Can also add a bit to marinades to tenderize meat.

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  6. I cut out sugar lately so now I am jelous about each cake eaten by my family ๐Ÿ˜€very nice salad!

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    1. I cannot resist cakes, maybe that'e why I hardly bake now. Too much temptation!

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  7. I love to eat spiral pasta like this. yummy! congrats on reaching your target weight!

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    Replies
    1. Me too! And thanks, hope I can maintain my weight :)

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  8. Congrats for achieving your target weight. ๐Ÿ˜€

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, thank you! Hope can mainatain :)

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  9. Wow, after this you can put on kebaya,hihi.

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    Replies
    1. Belum sampai standard kebaya lah ticer, oi... hee..hee...

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  10. i like how this recipe mentions a generous amount of italian parsley - any cook who uses a generous amount of parsley, instead of a stingy amount, is a cook whose food i want to eat! :D

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  11. I have not tried pasta salad before.

    I find it hard to lose weight, there was once I went to gym and ran on the treadmill diligently for weeks, after that I lost 5 kg, I was so happy, but after that once I stopped, I gained back the weight again :(

    Congrats for achieving your target weight.

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    1. I know what's it like to lose and then gain in back. Have to be consistent with the exercise and controlling of food portions. Can have a cheat day a week. Hope I can maintain the discipline hee..hee...

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  12. This pasta salad looks so good. I don't having this too though it contains carbs and fat (sausage), hehehe! It is tough to go on no carbs diet, low carbs is good enough. I am a person of noodles and cookies.

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    Replies
    1. You are right, low carbs is good enough. Better to have a well balanced meal or else you would feel very deprived.

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  13. I think not easy for Asians to go low carb because we love noodles and rice. Low carb will work for me. Most times I cut down on rice intake but sometimes, I just wallop!

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    Replies
    1. I agree with you. Carbs appers to be our main staple!

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