Cold Pasta with Salmon

Cold pasta with salmon is a fresh and flavorful dish, perfect for summer or as a quick meal. Here’s the recipe with an Italian touch:

Ingredients

• 320 g of short pasta (penne, fusilli or farfalle work well)
• 200 g of smoked salmon
• 200 g of cherry tomatoes
• 100 g of arugula
• 1 lemon (the juice)
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• (Optional) Capers to taste
• (Optional) Chopped chives to taste

Preparation

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions to achieve an al dente texture. Once cooked, drain it and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down.

2. Meanwhile, wash and halve the cherry tomatoes. Wash the arugula as well and pat it dry well.

3. Slice the smoked salmon into strips or cut it into cubes, depending on your preference.

4. In a large bowl, combine the cold pasta with the cherry tomatoes, arugula, and smoked salmon.

5. Dress with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt and black pepper to taste. If you like, you can also add some capers and chopped chives to enrich the flavor.

6. Mix all the ingredients well so that the pasta is evenly dressed.

7. Let the pasta rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving, so the flavors meld better.

8. Serve your cold pasta with salmon on a bed of arugula and, if desired, garnish with more fresh herbs or a sprinkle of black pepper.

Trivia

Smoked salmon, or “Norwegian salmon”, is a very common food in Italy especially in appetizers and cold dishes. Its smoking gives it a bold flavor that pairs well with the freshness of the other ingredients in the cold pasta.

Enjoy your meal and happy cooking!