Beef, Chickpea and Feta Pasta Salad

Chock full of healthy foods: spinach, chick peas, herbs, feta and beef (yes, cheese and beef are healthy foods...) this salad really shouldn't taste nearly as good as it does.

You might want to make more - for leftovers!

You could use whole wheat pasta....

Beef, Chickpea and Feta Pasta Salad

1 cup bite-size pasta, rigatoni, penne           90gr, 3.2oz
1 flank steak, 10 - 12oz          350gr, 12.3oz
1 cup chickpeas           240gr, 8.5oz, rinsed, drained
3oz feta cheese           90gr, 3.2oz
4oz spinach leaves           115gr, 4oz
2 tbs snipped chives 
2 tbs snipped basil 
5 large fresh mint leaves, snipped, optional
1 tbs ketchup           15gr, .53oz
1 tbs soy sauce         16gr, .56oz
1 tbs red wine vinegar           15gr, .53oz
1 tbs olive oil           13.5gr, .48oz
1 tsp chili powder           2.5gr, .09oz
1 tsp dried oregano
Vinaigrette

Cook pasta according to package instructions. When done, drain and put into a large serving bowl. Mix ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, oil, chili powder and oregano for marinade. Pour marinade over steak and let marinate. Snip herbs. Wash spinach if needed and tear leaves if large. Drain and rinse chickpeas. Cut feta into half inch cubes (1.25cm.) Make vinaigrette. Cook steak on barbecue grill or quickly sauté in nonstick skillet on stove. Either way cooking time is 3 - 4 minutes over medium-high heat. Remove and let rest. Add herbs and spinach to pasta. Add vinaigrette and toss well to coat. Slice the steak at a diagonally across the grain. Add steak to pasta along with chickpeas. Toss well to coat. Add feta and toss gently, just to combine. Serve.

Vinaigrette

1 tbs ketchup           15gr, .53oz
2 tbs Balsamic vinegar          32gr, 1.1oz
2 tsp Soy sauce          10.6gr, .37oz
4 tbs olive oil, the good stuff          54gr, 1.9oz
1/4 - 1/2 tsp chili powder

Put all ingredients in small bowl and whisk well to combine.

Note: If using dried herbs rather than fresh add them to the vinaigrette.

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Entire Recipe / per serving  
Calories:    2209 / 1104.5
Total Carbohydrates:    139 / 69.5
   Dietary Fiber:    20 / 10
Total Fat:    134 / 67
Saturated Fat:    40 / 20
Cholesterol:    298 / 149
Protein:    114 / 57
Calcium:    712 / 356
Sodium:    3849 / 1924.5

I try to be accurate, but I do not guarantee it.  I use 'grams' as the unit of weight; with an approximate conversion to ounces.

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For more recipes check out my internet cook book:  Easy Gourmet Dinners