Pasta Salad
* 500g good quality pasta
* 1 cup frozen peas
* 200-300g beans, top and tail, cut in half (or another vegetable that is in season)
* 2-3tbsps capers, drained
* 3/4 cup green pitted olives
* 2 spring onions, finely sliced
* Zest of 1 lemon
* 2-3 cups rocket
* Salt and pepper to season 


Herb Verde Dressing
* 1 cup fresh basil leaves
* 1 cup Italian or curly parsley
* 1 cup rocket
* 1 tbsp fresh mint
* 1 tbsp fresh rosemary 
* 1 clove garlic, peeled
* 1 tbsp honey or good quality maple syrup
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* Juice of 1 lemon (use 2 lemons if lemons are small)


Cook the pasta following the instructions on the packet.  Drain, and place the cooked pasta in a large serving bowl.
 
Blanch the peas and beans in a saucepan, 3/4 full of water and add a pinch of salt.  Place over a high heat and bring to the boil.  Cook 1-2 minutes, once boiling, drain and refresh under cold running water.  
 
To prepare the Herb Verde Dressing, use a food processor or a Nutri bullet, blend all the ingredients together until well combined, smooth and bright green.  
 
To prepare the salad, pour the dressing over the pasta when still hot, mix well.  Add the peas and beans, capers, green olives, lemon zest, salt and pepper.  Gently mix through the spring onions and rocket once the salad has cooled.  
 
*If you are not following a 100% Whole Food Plant Based Diet, you might like to add 120g Halloumi and 1 x 185g can salmon, drained.
 
To prepare the halloumi, place the a pan over a high heat, add a good splash of oil and when hot add the halloumi.  Fry until golden on both sides.  Remove from the heat and place on paper towels to drain.  Add to the pasta salad. 
 
Although there are many nutritious ingredients in this dish, I have chosen to tell you about the health benefits of rocket, also known as arugula.
 
ROCKET is from the family of broccoli and cabbages.  In its raw form it preserves most of its antioxidant phytochemicals which protect the liver, helping the body detox from chemicals and heavy metals.  Rocket enhances our immune system, and our protection against cancer, alzheimers and other degenerative disease.  Rocket contains vitamin C, A, K, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper.  A true superfood that tastes delicious in salads and pesto sauces.