Ingredients:

  • 300 g (10.5 oz) Short-cut pasta (Rotini, Fusilli, or Elbow Macaroni)
  • 1 tsp Coarse salt (for the boiling water)
  • 2 x 140 g (5 oz) tins Quality Tuna packed in olive oil (drained, reserve 1 tbsp of the oil)
  • 1 cup (150 g) Frozen peas (thawed or quickly blanched)
  • 2 stalks Celery, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup (40 g) Red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup Fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup (120 g) Good quality Mayonnaise (full fat recommended)
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) Plain Greek Yogurt (full fat, not zero-fat)
  • 1 Tbsp Reserved tuna oil
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh lemon juice (about half a large lemon)
  • 1 tsp Red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Cook and Cool the Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain immediately, then run cold water over the pasta for 30 seconds to halt cooking and wash away excess starch. Set the cooled pasta aside in the mixing bowl.
  2. Prepare the Vegetables and Tuna: Finely dice the celery and red onion. Ensure frozen peas are thoroughly thawed. Drain the tuna well, reserving 1 tablespoon of the oil. Flake the tuna gently with a fork.
  3. Whisk the Zesty Dressing: In a separate small bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients: mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, reserved tuna oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
  4. Combine, Mix, and Chill: Add the flaked tuna, diced celery, red onion, peas, and chopped parsley to the bowl with the cooled pasta. Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients. Fold gently until everything is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to properly absorb the dressing flavor.
  5. Final Adjustments and Serve: Remove the salad from the refrigerator. If the salad seems too dry, stir in a splash of milk or a tablespoon of additional mayonnaise/yogurt. Taste again for seasoning, as cold dulls flavor, and add a final generous sprinkle of salt and pepper before serving.