Mediterranean style Salad

This has become one of my favorite salads. It is very simple ,refreshing and can be served cold or warm . It can be taken as complete meal, as it has fiber from boiled pasta,onions, tomatoes, olives ,grapes and proteins from nuts and feta cheese. The chopped basil takes the salad to the next level.This will be great for picnics or parties.

Ingredients

Kosher salt
½ pound whole wheat pasta( any shape except for spegetti)
¼ cup- almonds/walnuts ( chopped)
2 tomatoes- chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil, julienned(or ½ tsp of dried)
1- medium red onion- thinly sliced
10-15 black olives- thinly sliced
Small block- feta cheese/paneer- chopped
¼ cup grapes-chopped( use any other fruit also)

Salad dressing:

1/4 cup balsamic or any vinegar/lime juice

1 tsp- Dijon mustard
½ tsp-Freshly ground pepper
½ tsp- chilli flakes
3-4 tsp- olive oil
Salt to taste

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente; drain, then rinse with cold water to cool.
Chop all the ingredients.
Combine the tomatoes, basil, onion, olives and grapes in a bowl.
Add the cooked pasta and toss.
Add the vinaigrette and both cheeses and toss.
Sprinkle the chopped nuts.
Chill until ready to serve.( chill for at least 1-2 hrs which allows the flavors to combine and marry).

Salad dressing:

Whisk the vinegar/lime juice or 50-50 proportion, mustard, salt, chilli flakes and pepper to taste in a small bowl.
Gradually whisk in enough of the oil to make a smooth dressing.

Benefits of Basil ( tulsi):

Coughs: Basil is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants.
Fever & Common Cold: The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Extract of leaves in fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours.In children, it is every effective in bringing down the temperature and common cold.
Stress: Basil leaves are regarded as an ‘adaptogen’ or anti-stress agent. Recent studies have shown that the leaves afford significant protection against stress. Even healthy persons can chew 12 leaves of basil, twice a day, to prevent stress. It purifies blood and helps prevent several common elements.
Headaches: Basil makes a good medicine for headache. A decoction of the leaves can be given for this disorder.