Picnic Pasta Salad

Enjoy the outdoors with this delectable picnic fair, while being refreshed by Tears of Tyrants.

Enjoying lighter al fresco style meals is the perfect pairing for our Pinot Grigio Tears of Tyrants.  Our crisp and fruity white wine is the ideal accompaniment to our Picnic Pasta.  Revel in the great outdoors whilst enjoying hearty sips of the tears of tyrants who govern our land.  After exploring the great outdoors, and enjoying the fruits from the land, refuel with Liquid Freedom.  Unlike the heaviness of many energy drinks including coffee, a cold and refreshing raspberry kissed beverage is a great pick-me-up to an afternoon spent in the sun.

The surprising combination of dried apricots, walnuts, honey and lemon thyme is tantalizing on a warm day, and paired with a fresh pinot – it is the perfect love match. This is compact and convenient for any picnic basket.  Brie and cracked pepper crackers along with a scrumptious dessert, makes for the perfect outdoor treat!

Time:

Prep time 10 minutes
Cooking time 25 minutes

Serving size:

Serves 4 people

Ingredients:

• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

• 1 pound orecchiette pasta 

• 2 lemons 

• 2 tablespoons honey 

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 

• 1 cup walnuts, toasted 

• 3/4 cup dried apricots, thinly sliced 

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon thyme leaves

• 3 tablespoons fresh mint, torn 

• 1 small head radicchio, thinly sliced 

Directions:

1. Bring a pot of water to boil and add a generous amount of salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package directions.
2. Meanwhile, prepare the vinaigrette. Zest 1 lemon into a large mixing bowl. Add the juice of both lemons, honey and some salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. While continuing to whisk, slowly pour in the olive oil to emulsify the mixture into a light dressing.
3. When the pasta is cooked, drain and immediately pour into the large mixing bowl with the lemon-honey vinaigrette. Toss the pasta with the walnuts, apricots, lemon thyme, mint and radicchio. Gently toss to combine and pour into a serving dish. Serve at room temperature or store, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Enjoy!