Gemelli Salad with Green Beans, Pistachios, and Lemon-Thyme Vinaigrette

According to Cooking Light: "Haricots verts are thin, tender green beans. If you can't find them, use trimmed regular green beans, but add them to the pasta after 8 minutes of cooking since they'll take longer to cook. You can make the salad ahead, but dress it just before serving so the beans don't turn drab." We had grilled chicken sliced and served over this AMAZING pasta salad. SO GOOD.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 1 1/4 cups pasta mixture and about 1 tablespoon cheese)
Total: 30 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces uncooked gemelli (short twisted tube pasta) ~ we used a flavored, mixed pasta
• 1 cup (1 1/2-inch) cut haricots verts (about 4 ounces)
• 1/2 cup chopped shelled pistachios 
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
• 2 tablespoons grated lemon rind, divided 
• 1 tablespoon minced shallots
• 2 tablespoons Champagne or white wine vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed 
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
• 1 ounce shaved fresh Parmesan cheese (about 1/3 cup) 

Preparation:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Add haricots verts during the final 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse pasta mixture under cold water; drain well.
2. Place the pasta mixture, pistachios, 1 tablespoon thyme, and 1 tablespoon lemon rind in a large bowl; toss gently to combine.
3. Combine remaining 1 tablespoon thyme, remaining 1 tablespoon lemon rind, shallots, Champagne or white wine vinegar, and garlic in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Gradually add olive oil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add salt and black pepper; stir with a whisk. Drizzle over pasta mixture, and toss gently to coat. Top each serving with Parmesan cheese.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 491
• Fat: 26.9g
• Saturated fat: 4.7g
• Monounsaturated fat: 16.6g
• Polyunsaturated fat: 4g
• Protein: 14.6g
• Carbohydrate: 50.8g
• Fiber: 4.9g
• Cholesterol: 6mg
• Iron: 3.2mg
• Sodium: 416mg
• Calcium: 131mg