Homemade pasta salad
It can be an appetizer, side dish or entrée. Italian pasta salad is often a summertime meal, but it can be served year-round.
Rotini, shell, elbow or bowtie pasta shapes are the most traditional.. Add-ins include vegetables, cheeses, nuts, herbs, spices, poultry or seafood. Broccoli, carrots, olives, onions, and Parmesan or hard cheeses also can be found in this salad served at picnics to salad bars.
2 cups rotini and/or other small pasta, cooked (use the colored variety)
1 cup broccoli and cauliflower florets, steamed or boiled (do not overcook)
1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
1/4 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1/2 cup cheese (crumbled blue or Monterey Jack)
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup vinaigrette or all-natural premium Italian store bought dressing (a vinaigrette is a mixture of 3/4 part olive oil, 1/4 part red wine vinegar, and fresh herbs of your choice)
In a bowl combine vegetables, cheese (save Parmesan for later), nuts, herbs, spices, and poultry or seafood. Set aside.
Boil pasta. Remove from stovetop.
Place pasta into a bowl. Add dressing. Mix in chosen ingredients.
Chill in refrigerator. Top with Parmesan cheese when dishing it up. Makes three to four servings.
This salad can be pre-made. To make it more popular you can create a pasta bar much like a potato or green salad bar. Dish up the pasta with dressing. In small dishes provide a variety of ingredients, including vegetables, cheeses, nuts, and lean protein — all chopped. Let your guests build their own salad.
It's oh-so-good on a warm day, especially with the tang of cold artichoke hearts and olive pieces (these can be found fresh in the deli at the grocery store) and decadent with cheeses and fresh summery vegetables.
The very best part is mixing it up allows everyone (single or with a loved one) to cool down and fill up on noodle salad.
As you waste your breath complaining about life, someone out there is breathing their last.
Appreciate what you have.
Be thankful and stop complaining.
Live more, complain less.
Have more smiles, less stress.
from_the_kitchen-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
recipes_sharing-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Posted by: "Jodi Thompson" <tigger63755@charter.net>
| Reply via web post | • | Reply to sender | • | Reply to group | • | Start a New Topic | • | Messages in this topic (1) |
No comments:
Post a Comment