Pasta Salad With Roasted Carrots, Currants, and Pine Nuts
1 cup orzo(a rice shaped pasta)or sub any small pasta shape
1/2 teaspoon tumeric
4 carrots, peeled
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup currants
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
3 tblsp chopped fresh coriander
1/4 cup virgin olive oil 2 tblsp spiced vinegar
salt and pepper
Cook orzo in plenty of boiling water with 1/2 tsp tumeric added for 8-10 minutes or al dente. Drain and set aside to cool. Preheat oven to 180*C. Cut carrots in half lengthwise then slice on the diagonal into 1cm thick pieces. Place in a roasting pan, drizzle with a little oil,sprinkle with spices and toss to coat evenly. Roast for30 minutes, remove and allow to cool. Mix orzo,carrots,currants,pinenuts,coriander,oil and vinegar together well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot as an accompaniment or cold as a salad.
SO HOW'D IT GO?
:D Great for a party. With all of the plain pasta dishes and usual fare, this aromatic and slightly sweet dish really stands-out amongst them. Don't over-roast the carrots, their crunch is important!