Ugly Pasta Salad

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I think it's the fact the hominy picks up the brown color of the balsamic vinegar that makes this salad so ugly, but it's oh so tasty! The balsamic vinaigrette is very tangy and very garlicky, so if you suspect it could be too strong for you, adjust the amount of garlic and vinegar. I often substitute other cheeses for the pricey fresh mozzarella. I use regular mozzarella and monterey jack frequently. This is based on a recipe from mollie katzen's vegetable heaven.

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Steps

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Combine oil , vinegar , garlic , salt , thyme , and oregano in a large bowl , whisking to combine.

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Add chickpeas , hominy and mozzarella cubes and stir to combine.

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Cover and refrigerate for as long as you can to let the flavors combine.

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Cook the pasta shells according to package directions.

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Drain and rinse in cold water.

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Add pasta to the marinated ingredients , stirring to combine.

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Eat hot , warm , room temperature , or cold , sprinkling each serving with the optional parmesan cheese separately.

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I sometimes add olives , grape tomatoes , scallions , etc.

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Ingredients

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chickpeas, hominy, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, dried thyme, dried oregano, mozzarella cheese, pasta shells, parmesan cheese, fresh ground black pepper