"You twist it......twist it!"

Many variations of pasta salads are found in recipe boxes, cookbooks, and even packages on the shelf at the grocery.  However, I like the flavors that are in the version that I have created.  This particular dish contains no mayo or eggs; so it is a great choice for hot weather. Have you seen the forecast for this next week?!  Also, many of you may be attending picnics or pitch-ins; so this salad would be great for Memorial Day gatherings. (In fact, the movie quote is from The Great Outdoors.) If you are asked to contribute to a meal or cookout this weekend, volunteer to bring the pasta salad! ( I just hope you are not all attending the same party!)

Trista, this one is for you!

Twisted Pasta Salad
1 box/bag tri-colored rotini (the twist)
1 bottle Kraft Zesty Italian dressing (Any brand is ok, but I really like this one.)
3 T. sugar
1 t. seasoned salt
2-3 carrots, chopped
1-2 stalks celery, chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 small pkg. white button mushrooms, stems removed, sliced
1 small pkg. grape/cherry tomatoes (or chopped tomatoes)
4 green onions, chopped (use some of the green)
1 small can black olives

(Amounts can be adjusted to your own taste.

• Cook pasta to al dente  (Don't allow it to overcook and become mushy because it needs to soak up the dressing.)
• Cool the pasta
• Add 3/4 bottle of dressing (Shake this really well.)
• Add sugar
• Add salt
• Stir together well
• Add veggies
• Combine all
• Cover and chill for several hours or overnight

To serve, add the remainder of the dressing in order to moisten the salad.  I usually buy 2 bottles of dressing because the pasta keeps soaking up the liquid.  Just add more as needed.

Tips:

• This makes a large bowl of salad. If you are making this for a medium sized family, you might want to cut the amounts in half unless you want to eat it for a week!
• A really light version can be made by using "light" dressing and Splenda or another sugar substitute. (My friend Chrystal tried this, and she thought it was great.)
• If 3 T. of sugar sounds like too much, add gradually and taste as you go.  The sweetness is needed though in order to round out the flavor of the dressing.  The same is true if you are using artificial sweetener.  (or you could use a combo of both)

Ideas:

• To make this a main dish, add Italian style meats such as pepperoni/salami or even turkey/ham.  Cubed cheese would be good as well.
• Add any other seasonings or fresh herbs that you enjoy. (basil, oregano, etc.)
• If there is something that you do not like in the list of ingredients, leave it out and throw something in that you do like.  (peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, green olives, capers, etc.)
• If you do not care for Italian dressing, use a different kind or mix 2 or 3 kinds together....sure!  go for it! 
• Other shapes of pasta could be fun too.  However, the tri-colored type does give extra flavor in my opinion.

Hopefully, readers are enjoying my writings.  I love doing this and really feel that I'm in my element.  I love to mess around in the kitchen and to help people.  If you ever have any questions, please feel free to use my facebook account. 

Also, please send comments whether good, bad, or ugly.  If there is something you don't like, let me know; I won't cry too hard-- I promise! 

The fun about doing this blog is that you, my friends, can try all kinds of dishes.  I don't always find success, and if I don't, there is always the country garbage disposal (throwing it over the fence or putting it in a dog dish...hahahahahah.)  My father-in-law used to joke that he'd let his dog try it first, and if she liked it, then he probably would too.


This may be the only offering I have this week.  I will add articles whenever I can.  This summer should be full of food ideas.  Just check every couple of days. Thanks so much for reading and participating in something that I am thoroughly enjoying.

Until next time, friends