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You are here: Home / Lifestyle / Strawberry Basil Pasta Salad

May 29, 2011

Strawberry Basil Pasta Salad

Boy am I tired!! My legs are aching – I need to elevate them!

Faith + Tate just returned from a trip up north and we just had to go see them. Faith suggested a walk on the Monticello Trail.

Having just worn myself out in the yard and taking a cold, clean shower, we initially tried to talk them out of it. But then Matt said “Trail it is!” and before we knew it we were soaked in sweat again!

Then before we knew it we had walked the whole 4 mile trail! It was lots of fun and worth it and I’m so glad we went, but man my feet could use a massage. I wonder if Matt has more massage in him after massaging our greens for dinner…

We got home at 6pm and started on dinner:

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Strawberry Basil Pasta Salad

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My farmer’s market basil somehow ended up on the dining room table in a mug. (Well I put it there, but that’s not a normal place where I’d put an herb in a “vase”.) I am SO into it!! Every time I walk by the table I smile. So pretty!

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While I plucked leaves for dinner, Matt gave me a taste of a double IPA and lots of our freshly made keg of sparkling water. Man how I have missed it!

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So back to that salad!!! It was an idea I came up with when I first saw this Pesto with Panache flavor:

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Strawberry pesto!! It’s actually not sweet at all – more like very subtly juicy berry with lots of regular pesto flavor. But it was SO good and I knew I had to involve our garden strawbs in a savory dinner with it. Of course pasta was the answer>.

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We cooked half a package of rotini and mixed that with a cucumber, a cup of sliced strawberries, 1/3 a cup of pesto and 1 can of navy beans. We then served all that over a bed of baby greens from our garden that we simply massaged (literally – Matt massaged them) in a teaspoon of kosher salt and 2 tsp of olive oil.

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Here are the details:

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Print Pin

Massaged Baby Greens

This recipe works well with tender baby spring greens, but you can also use the method on firm, adult greens too - they will just have more of a bite to them.
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Total Time 5 minutes minutes
Servings 2 Servings
Author Kath Younger

Ingredients

  • 1 giant salad spinner of baby mixed greens like kale collards, turnip greens, chard
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp olive oil

Instructions

  • Wash and spin dry greens.
  • Top with salt and oil and rub with hands until greens get shiny and slightly wilted.

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We determined that this salad was a bit too green and needed avocado, a crumbly cheese or some nuts, so we added some pecans halfway through dinner.

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I had brownies for dessert after lunch, so I’m resisting having dessert twice and going to settle into a cold shower and my book instead. Still reading Redeeming Love and liking it just OK. The first chapter was the best and it hasn’t redeemed itself since then.

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: basil, Beans, greens, Pasta

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Comments

  1. Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out says

    May 29, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    That looks AMAZING. I like the idea of basil and berries.

    Reply
  2. Sarah @ The Strength of Faith says

    May 29, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    (In your spare time – ha!) You should put together a KERF Kookbook and sell it at the bakery!

    Reply
  3. Liz says

    May 29, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    I wish I had the outdoor space to grow strawberries and lived in a more temperate climate. But I have some sturdy basil growing in pots inside right now and have rotini in the cupboard…but the second strawberries show up at the farmers market I am all over this dish! Yum!

    Reply
  4. Sarah says

    May 29, 2011 at 7:59 pm

    Stick with Redeeming Love, it gets better!! BTW, dinner looks amazing!

    Reply
  5. lynn @ the actor's diet says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    those both sound terrific! i will definitely share on my facebook page – have a great rest of your weekend!

    Reply
  6. staceyhealthylife says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    What an interesting and unique idea with the strawberries and pesto. I have both items so I’m gonna give this one a try.

    Reply
  7. Heather says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    I love strawberries mixed with greens. I also love the idea of mixing pasta with salad greens – such a great summer meal.

    Hope you got that massage!

    Reply
  8. Silvia @ skinny jeans food says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    This looks like a GREAT salad! strawberries, pecans, pesto – wow!

    Reply
  9. Andrea @ a farmer in the dell says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    thanks for the recipe!!! your dinner looks great!

    Reply
  10. Wine Girl @ Kitchen Doesn't Travel says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    That salad looks beautiful & delicious!! I’ll definitely be trying out this recipe in the near future.

    Reply
  11. Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:29 pm

    Your pasta salad looks great! Both the recipe and the photography. I think you should submit it to TS. It has that total TS “look” and vibe to it. For sure the overhead shot 0379 and maybe 0362. I love the woods used in the pics.

    And the recipe doesn’t sounds half bad either 🙂

    Going back for seconds on brownies..and desserts…I am queen of that!

    Reply
  12. Courtney @ the granola chronicles says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    I’m liking the idea of strawberries in a savory pasta/greens salad. Looks great!

    Reply
  13. Danielle @ weightsandmeasures says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:43 pm

    I love pasta salad over salad greens. I am king of jealous of your strawberry patch. The tastes of summer.

    Reply
  14. Lauren says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    That looks delicious! We drove by the bakery and it looks great! Love it! I am hoping you guy will be around there tomorrow so maybe I could see it 😉 Haha….its fine! I’ll be around a lot the summer. Just wanted to say it all looks wonderful!!

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      May 30, 2011 at 6:32 am

      Cool!! I’ll be there this afternoon 🙂

      Reply
  15. Baking 'n' Books says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    WIsh I had your willpower to resist “dessert”! Do you find living with Matt helps you keep things in moderation more? I feel living alone it’s just a free for all with me…yikes.

    Reply
  16. Angel7 says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:49 pm

    That strawberry pesto sounds great! I like the ingredients you incorporated with it!

    http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  17. Tori (Fresh Fruition) says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:54 pm

    Aww, your strawberries look so amazing! I’m so excited for my little strawberry babies to grow 🙂

    How long did it take yours to get to that size?

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      May 30, 2011 at 6:32 am

      They’re been growing for a few years, and this year we started to see buds like a month ago?

      Reply
  18. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says

    May 29, 2011 at 9:01 pm

    That looks like such a refreshing combo. love the idea of strawberries with basil.

    Reply
  19. kaila @ healthy helper! says

    May 29, 2011 at 9:08 pm

    what a unique mix of flavors! wow I would have never thought of that going together….but it looks delicious!

    Reply
  20. Kate says

    May 29, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    I love the idea of strawberries and basil so summery.

    Reply
  21. Meagan says

    May 29, 2011 at 9:18 pm

    All I could think about was how beautiful that wooden table was and the wooden bowl!

    Reply
  22. Lesley Lifting Life says

    May 29, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    Excellent use of all those strawberries … it sounds fabulous!

    Reply
  23. chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says

    May 29, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    Oh that pasta salad looks delicious! I am really into that whole berry/pesto thing!

    Reply
  24. Katherine says

    May 29, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    Have that dessert. What is the worse that will happen? Exactly, nothing. But you will be happy and fulfilled 🙂
    On another note, that dinner looks amazing!

    Reply
  25. Julie H. says

    May 29, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    My mom wanted to buy me flowers. “They’re so pretty!” she says. I do agree…. BUT “I think vegetables and fruits are pretty!” 🙂 Love the basil on the table!

    Reply
  26. Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says

    May 29, 2011 at 9:54 pm

    You’ve had quite the active day! I have such a hang-up about getting dirty right after a shower, so I admire the fact that you still went on a walk 🙂

    Reply
  27. Layla says

    May 29, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    That looks so so delicious. Where can I get pesto with panache?

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      May 30, 2011 at 6:33 am

      I linked to it in the post – OpenSky

      Reply
  28. Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner says

    May 29, 2011 at 10:11 pm

    I don’t think those strawberries would have ever ended into my salad! I would have eaten them all up!!! 🙂

    Reply
  29. Mary @ Bites and Bliss says

    May 29, 2011 at 10:33 pm

    Yummm! I love strawberries in any sorta of salads, so I can imagine they’d be great in a pasta salad as well. Very nice!

    Reply
  30. Hannah says

    May 29, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    Strawberry and pesto? That’s ingenious! Even if I’ll probably never try it 😛

    Reply
  31. Rachel @ Grateful Girl Goes Gluten Free says

    May 29, 2011 at 11:39 pm

    You are SO good at coming up with fresh delicious recipes. I need to look at your recipe page more often!

    Reply
  32. Dee says

    May 29, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    This does look amazing!

    Reply
  33. Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says

    May 30, 2011 at 12:19 am

    very green 🙂 I don’t love cold pasta,though….

    Reply
  34. Ashley says

    May 30, 2011 at 12:23 am

    My mom and I are sitting here and read this post together. She thought the pasta salad sounded amazing!! As did I. 🙂

    Reply
  35. Khushboo says

    May 30, 2011 at 12:36 am

    With the strawberries and basil, your pasta salad screams summer! I’m so on to it! I need a massage too- my body is SO stiff and my run this morning didn’t help :(!

    Reply
  36. Kristen @ The Red Velvet Life says

    May 30, 2011 at 12:53 am

    Mmm such a great way to use strawberries! Love them in my salads usually, but added to pasta salad sounds even more yummy-licious. 🙂

    Reply
  37. Lenna says

    May 30, 2011 at 4:59 am

    It looks gorgeous!! I have never heard of strawberry pesto before..

    Reply
  38. Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet says

    May 30, 2011 at 5:37 am

    That salad looks beautiful! I love any kind of strawberry salad, and that addition of both blue cheese AND feta is genius!

    Reply
  39. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says

    May 30, 2011 at 7:01 am

    I love having fruit like mango, apples, and pears in my salads, but I’ve never thought to try strawberries in a savory meal. It looks good!

    Reply
  40. Stephanie @ StephSnacks says

    May 30, 2011 at 7:13 am

    I am a total fanatic of anything with pesto and this looks mouth-watering!

    Reply
  41. The Healthy Hipster says

    May 30, 2011 at 7:19 am

    Strawberries and pesto! What a unique combo! Can’t wait to try 🙂

    Reply
  42. Shelley says

    May 30, 2011 at 7:23 am

    Hi Kath! That salad looks so tasty! a great combo for sure, i was just wondering what was the address of your old blog? I saw it in one of your posts but can’t remember which one 🙂

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      May 30, 2011 at 7:26 am

      You mean this embarrassing this? http://www.katheats.blogspot.com/

      Reply
  43. Shelley says

    May 30, 2011 at 7:35 am

    Awesome that was it! Its not embarrassing, i was interested in it as i’m currently trying to lose weight and was wondering how many calories a day you were having when you were losing weight. Im currently on 1200 and do either running ,yoga, weights, cycling, dancing for up an hour and a half a day and not seeing hardly any results, in your opinion how long does it take to see results i have lost 2 kilograms in nearly 5 weeks!! , i have 15 to lose. Your expertise is greatly appreciated!! 🙂

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      May 30, 2011 at 7:36 am

      I ate 1800ish when I was losing, but I also got a lot of activity to NET about 1250. So if you see me reference 1226 – that’s NET – not total!

      Reply
    • KathEats says

      May 30, 2011 at 7:37 am

      In my opinion, you aren’t eating enough!!

      Reply
  44. Shelley says

    May 30, 2011 at 7:38 am

    Cool thanks 🙂

    Reply
  45. Shelley says

    May 30, 2011 at 7:42 am

    That could be possible, but i got the meal plan from a RD, i thought it actually sounded low considering i am active, oh well will see how it goes
    thank you again

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      May 30, 2011 at 7:47 am

      An RD put you on 1200? Wow, that’s pretty strict. My opinion is to focus more on quality than quality. Minimize packaged food, processed food, refined carbs, desserts and alcohol and eat wholesome snacks (like fruit, nuts, yogurt) whenever your hungry and 3 meals a day built on real food.

      Reply
  46. amyt says

    May 30, 2011 at 8:40 am

    That looks so yummy and refreshing!

    Reply
  47. katie @KatieDid says

    May 30, 2011 at 8:59 am

    i bet goat cheese would have been a great addition to this also! what an awesome combo of flavors and textures, I’ll be sure to try it this summer. this never ending supply of strawberries seems to be doing you well!

    Reply
  48. Molly @ RDexposed says

    May 30, 2011 at 9:30 am

    I willl continue to ask-why don’t we give boquets of herbs, they smell so good and you can put them to use!

    Reply
  49. Tracy says

    May 30, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    Did you already finish Postmistress? How was it?

    I just finished Resistance after reading your comments on it…soo good!

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      May 30, 2011 at 12:15 pm

      I haven’t read Postmistress yet – it got second to Redeeming.

      Resistance was so good!!

      Reply
  50. Angie says

    May 30, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    Redeeming Love is wonderful! I was surprised to see it mentioned because it is a little older and I don’t know if I have ever known anyone besides myself who has read it. Enjoy it!

    Reply
  51. Justeen @ Blissful Baking says

    May 30, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    What an awesome pasta idea! Mmm some crumbly cheese on top sounds perfect!

    Reply
  52. Mary @ Delightful Bitefuls says

    May 31, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    This looks phenomenal! Bookmarking this to make asap! Loving all the ingredients you used!

    New to your blog; happy I found you!

    Mary xo
    Delightful Bitefuls

    Reply
  53. Gina (Yogattude) says

    June 1, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    I made this last night and it was phenominal! I subbed ww orzo for the pasta and chicken for the beans and added goat cheese and chopped walnut. I will definitely be making this again!

    Reply

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    hi! Im Kath.

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