Fregola is a toasted semolina pasta that is very popular in Sardinia. You can substitute any small shape pasta, such as orzo, which it resembles, but do make the effort to seek it out at a specialty food shop; its nutty flavor makes this pasta salad really unusual and delicious.

　　

Ingredients

4 to 6 servings

　　

Orange Oil

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

　　1 orange, zested

　　

Salad

8 cups low-sodium chicken broth

　　1 pound fregola pasta (or orzo)

　　1 orange

　　1 pink grapefruit

　　1 small red onion, thinly sliced

　　1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves

　　1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

　　1/2 tablespoon fennel seeds, lightly toasted

　　1 teaspoon coarse salt

　　1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

　　

To Make the Orange Oil

Step 1

Combine the olive oil and the orange zest in a small bowl and set aside.

　　

To Make the Salad

Step 2

In a large saucepan bring the chicken broth to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain the pasta and dump it onto a large baking sheet. Spread it out into a single layer and let cool for 10 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Meanwhile, using a small knife, cut all the peel and pith off the orange and grapefruit. Holding the fruit over a large bowl, cut between the membranes to release the segments into the bowl and catch the juices. Add the onion, mint, basil, fennel seeds, salt, pepper, and cooled fregola pasta.

　　

Step 4

Add the reserved orange oil to the pasta. Toss all the ingredients together and serve.

　　Reprinted with permission from Giada's Kitchen: New Italian Favorites by Giada De Laurentiis. Copyright © 2008 by Giada De Laurentiis. Published by Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Giada De Laurentiis is the star of Food Network's Everyday Italian and Behind the Bash. She attended the Cordon Bleu in Paris, and then worked in a variety of Los Angeles restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck's Spago, before starting her own catering and private-chef company, GDL Foods. The granddaughter of movie producer Dino De Laurentiis, Giada was born in Rome and grew up in Los Angeles, where she now lives.