Gluten Free Pasta Salad with Tuna

 I make several different versions of this pasta salad.  My garden was overflowing with basil and oregano, so I was inspired to try making the dressing very simple with herbs, olive oil, lime juice, salt and pepper.  We think it compliments the tuna fish very nicely.  

A word about canned tuna.  Often "tuna in water" or "tuna in oil"  includes "vegetable broth" AKA soy added!  I avoid those brands because the soy is something I am highly sensitive to.  It is possible to find canned tuna that is free of added soy, but you have to be diligent about reading labels.

Pasta Tuna Salad

1 package rice pasta (Tinkyada is my preferred brand)

Cook pasta according to package directions.  During the last minute of cooking, add 3 sliced carrots and about 1 cup broccoli and/or cauliflower florets.  Drain and cool.

Dressing:

            Blend together the following ingredients in a food processor.

½ cup fresh herbs – parsley, cilantro, thyme, basil, oregano – whatever is available and suits your fancy  (1/3 cup each basil and oregano was used in this batch)

2 clove garlic (more as desired)

¼ grated sweet onion

Juice of 2 limes

½ cup olive oil

½ t salt

½ t black pepper

¼ cup olive oil

Add  the following ingredients to the cooled pasta / fresh vegetables:

4 cans tuna (drained)

Sliced celery – 3 or 4 stalks

1 can quartered artichoke hearts, drained

1 can black olives, drained and sliced

1 cup finely grated Romano cheese

Combine all ingredients and chill before serving to allow flavors to blend.