Name: Tikka Masala Pasta Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: indian
Ingredients: 4 ounces farfalle (or other pasta cooked according to package instructions); 1 null mato (large, thinly sliced or chopped); 0.5 null green bell pepper (thinly sliced); 0.5 cup red onion (chopped); 6 ounces firm tofu (chopped or made into thin slices or rectangles); 3 tbsp pecans (chopped or other crunchy additions such as pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds or walnuts); 0.25 cup cilantro (chopped); 2.5 tbsp tomato paste; 2 tbsp non-dairy yogurt (or use non dairy cream option such as coconut cream or cashew cream or blended up tofu); 1 tbsp lime juice; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper; 0.5 tsp garam masala (less or more to preference); 1 tsp ground coriander; 0.5 tsp garlic powder; 0.25 tsp onion powder; 0.75 tsp chili powder (Kashmiri or paprika, less or more to preference); 0.25 tsp cayenne (omit for less heat); 0.5 tsp dried fenugreek (or use 0.25 tsp ground mustard); null cup chickpeas (optional)

Instructions

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1

Cook the farfalle (4 ounces) according to package instructions, then drain and rinse in cold water. Add to a bowl.
2

Chop the mato (1), bell pepper (0.5 green), and red onion (0.5 cup). Add them to the bowl with the pasta. Add the firm tofu (6 ounces), cilantro (0.25 cup), and chopped pecans (3 tbsp) (and [null cup chickpeas] if using) and mix well.
3

For the dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients (tomato paste (2.5 tbsp), non-dairy yogurt (2 tbsp), lime juice (1 tbsp), salt (0.5 tsp), black pepper (0.25 tsp), garam masala (0.5 tsp), ground coriander (1 tsp), garlic powder (0.5 tsp), onion powder (0.25 tsp), chili powder (0.75 tsp), cayenne (0.25 tsp), dried fenugreek (0.5 tsp)) in a bowl and mix thoroughly. If the dressing is too thick, add a tablespoon of water.
4

Heat the dressing in a skillet or microwave until it just comes to a boil. This helps the spices to bloom. Cool for a few minutes. Taste and adjust salt and flavor as needed, keeping it slightly salty as it will coat the entire salad.
5

Add the cooled dressing to the pasta salad bowl and toss well to coat.
6

Taste and adjust seasoning; add more [lime juice] or [black pepper] if desired. Top with fresh [cilantro]. Chill for at least minutes (15) before serving.