Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Lately The Captain has been asking for a tuna and pasta salad.  I came up with this as a one dish dinner - it has protein, healthy oils, lots of vitamins, and fibre, too.  It is delicious and colorful, too.  

Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Makes 2 servings

• 4 ounces rotini or pasta of choice
• 12 raw green string beans, washed and ends removed
• 120g tuna (drained solids from 170g can), approx 4 ounces
• 1/2 cup artichoke hearts, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1 tomato, roughly chopped, or several halved grape tomatoes
• 1/4 cup onion, chopped
• 2 Tbs lemon juice
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta to al dente, drain, rinse,  and refrigerate for at least an hour. 
2. In medium saucepan, bring about 1 cup of water to a boil.  Add green beans and cook for one minute.  Remove immediately from heat, drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.  (This is called blanching - it doesn't quite cook them but does bring out the color)
3. Remove beans from sauce pan and cut them into pieces about 1 inch long.
4. In large bowl mix tuna, artichoke hearts, olives, tomato, onion, and green beans.  Stir gently to mix.  Add pasta to mixture and stir again.
5. In a small bowl, mix the lemon juice, olive oil and minced garlic.  Stir to blend, then pour over contents of large bowl.  Stir again.
6. Divide mixture between 2 bowls or plates, and season with salt and pepper.

Per serving.
Weight Watchers P+ = 10.
Calories 388; Protein 25g; Carbohydrate 56g; Fat 10g; Fibre 9g.

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