Thank God It’s Friday! I love Friday because it’s preparation for the weekend and time to relax. I also love Friday because I get to enjoy Taziki’s “Friday Pasta”! Taziki’s is a Mediterranean café and almost every time I go there, I order the same thing (Chicken Basil-Pesto Gyro). I decided to FINALLY try something different. Everyone kept raving about their “Friday Pasta” so I wanted to see what the hype was about! Can you say…Super DELICIOUS?!?!
You know I had to go on a search for this recipe, right? Like to hear it (well read it), here it goes!
Recipe! Taziki’s “Friday Pasta” (Serves 6)
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon shallot, minced
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- Juice from one lemon
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ cups blended olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cups mixed lettuces
- 1 ½ pounds penne pasta, cooked
- 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, grilled and cubed
- 2 cups feta cheese crumbled
- 3 tomatoes seeded and diced
- 1 handful fresh basil chopped
Directions:
- To make vinaigrette: Mix thyme, shallots, balsamic vinegar, lemon, sugar, Dijon mustard. Slowly whisk in oil. Add salt and pepper.
- Place about 1 cup mixed lettuces on each plate. Toss cooked pasta with 12 ounces (or to taste) vinaigrette.
- Toss grilled chicken with 6 ounces vinaigrette.
- Spoon approximately 3 cups pasta onto lettuce then add chicken.
- Top with feta cheese and fresh basil to taste.
Art’s Revisions and Healthy Swaps:
- I used reduced fat blue cheese and fat-free feta
- I used whole wheat penne in the place of regular penne
- Added more mixed greens because they are yummy!
- You can also use—Ken’s Balsamic salad dressing if you don’t feel like making your own dressing, but that’s not as fun as making your own!
- Added one serving of Athenos Baked Pita Chips to enjoy with pasta
- I recommend serving the pasta and chicken warm
[Tweet “Enjoy Tazik’s Friday Pasta, anytime! #bhameats #recipe #tazikis”]
Recipe found here via Birmingham News.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I’m trying to decide if I’m going to Taziki’s to enjoy this pasta between now and Sunday!
Have a great weekend!
Sounds and looks really yummy! I know you look forward to Fridays’s!
Thank you, Shirley! And yes—I really do!
Yum! You’re making me really hungry!
Taziki’s always makes me hungry! :)
This looks so yummy! Totally pinning this to try later. Plus I may need to go to Tazikis now.
Thank you, Lisa! It’s very yummy. I hope you like it!
That sounds DELICIOUS! And I love the idea adding the Pita’s!
This is something that I’d definitely try. It’s similar to a favored salad here called Fattoush. The pasta would be another great layer.
YUM! This pasta dish looks so good! I’m trying to cut down on carbs but it’s hard since I love pasta and breads so much. Pinning this dish for later. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you, Louida! I love bread and pasta too. Everything in moderation. The good thing is you can make the pasta heart healthy by using whole wheat!