I don’t think you’ll see this kind of pasta dish in Italy. Italians don’t generally eat cold pasta. But we love them here in the U.S. Especially in summer. They’re easy, versatile, portable and the only thing you have to cook is the pasta itself. And oh, I have an ulterior motive. My garden is completely over-run with dill. It has been a massive invasion. I expect to see it coming up through my living room carpet one morning. So this dish is a particularly delicious way to use up some of my fresh, and menacing, dill. And let’s face it, dill really wakes up a dish!
Apropos of nothing, dill belongs to the Carrot Family botanically known as Umbelliferae , native to the Mediterranean and used in B.C. It played a big part in the culinary life of the ancient Greeks. The flavor of dill does not come via its green growth but through its seeds that are rich with essential oils. And these seeds are actually complete fruits, even dry. So that’s our botany lesson for the day. So when my dill takes over my living room, it will be comforting to know it’s just a harmless fruit seeking love. Back to the recipe.
There are only 6 basic ingredients in this recipe. So it’s a snap to put together.
I use my trusty double-bladed mezzaluna chopper that chops these shallots in no time flat. For the dill, some good kitchen scissors will do…then you’re good to go. And voila…or as the Italians say, “Ecco!” You have a beautiful pasta with salmon & dill dish. Buon Appetito.
Pasta with Salmon & Dill in a snap
Summer Pasta with Smoked Salmon & Dill
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound small pasta shells
- 4 ounces good smoked salmon
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup yogurt (not Greek yogurt)
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- freshly ground white pepper
Directions:
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add one tablespoon of salt and the shells and cook them according to package directions.
- Cut smoked salmon into bite-size pieces and place into a large bowl. Mix the mayo with the yogurt in a small bowl. Chop the shallots and fold them into the mayo mixture. Add this mixture to the salmon.
- When the pasta is al dente, scoop out about 1/4 cup of pasta water and reserve. Drain pasta well then mix into the salmon-mayo mixture.
- If the pasta salad is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of pasta water. Fold in the chopped dill. Add pepper to taste. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Note: Smoked salmon can be salty so don't salt this dish until you tasted it in its completed form. If you don't care for smoked salmon, you can use grilled fresh salmon or even canned salmon.
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