PASTA SALAD WITH GARBANZO BEANS, TOMATOES AND FETA CHEESE

Pasta Salad with Garbanzo Beans, Tomatoes and Feta Cheese image

Yield Serves 6 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

3/4 pound fusilli or other corkscrew pasta
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups chopped plum tomatoes
1 15- to 16-ounce can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
Additional chopped fresh mint

Steps:

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool. Drain again.
Combine 1/4 cup mint, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic and lemon peel in large bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Add pasta, tomatoes, garbanzo beans and feta cheese. Toss to blend well. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared ahead. Let stand at room temperature 2 hours; or cover and refrigerate overnight, them let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.)
Mound salad on large shallow platter. Garnish with additional mint.