Warm tuna, pasta and parsley salad
This is a simple and delicious pasta dish that is just as good served hot as it is cold. It makes a great lunch for friends because you can make it a day in advance, so you can relax and enjoy the company.
250 grams (1⁄2 lb) cherry tomatoes
1 large red onion, cut into wedges
2 garlic cloves, sliced
1⁄4 cup pine nuts
1 tablespoon olive oil
300 grams (10 1⁄2 oz) penne or other pasta shapes
2 1⁄2 cans (170 grams each) tuna in water, drained
199 ml can corn kernels, drained and rinsed
1⁄2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Dressing
1 lemon, juiced
1⁄3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
1 tablespoon bottled capers, rinsed and roughly chopped
1.Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking tray with baking parchment and lay out the cherry tomatoes, onion, garlic and pine nuts. Drizzle everything with the oil, season to taste and gently toss together. Roast for 15–20 minutes or until the tomatoes are softened and the pine nuts are lightly browned. Remove from the oven and set aside.
2.Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water according to the package instructions until tender.
3.To make the dressing, combine the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, mustard and capers in a small bowl and mix together thoroughly.
4.Once the pasta is cooked, strain in a colander, then return to the pot. Add the roasted tomato mixture, tuna, corn, parsley and dressing to the pasta and mix gently, without breaking up the tomatoes too much.
Cook’s tip• The pasta can be served right away if you prefer it warm, or can be made in advance and the flavours allowed to develop — they will improve over time. Allow it to come to room temperature, or warm up slightly in the microwave to remove the chill.
Variations• You could use Roma tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes. Cut into quarters before roasting. • For a more leafy salad, add 100 grams arugula or baby spinach leaves to the salad when you add the parsley.
Serves 4–6
Preparation time 15 minutes
Cooking time 20 minutes
Each serving (6)
21 g protein • 19.5 g fat of which 2.5 g saturates • 34 g carbohydrate • 4.5 g fibre • 404 Calories























