As always my first stop was the dessert recipes and it didn't take me long to decide on the lemon cheesecake. I sent Randal the link and fully expecting my sugar addict husband to be all for it and I was truly stunned that his response was "looks great, but how about this Italian summer salad". I think I read his email 3 times just to make sure my husband was suggesting a salad over a cheesecake! He has decided to try and eat more healthy and I want to support that idea.
Because it is just the two of us and the recipe makes quite a lot, I decided to halve the entire recipe. It still made a lot and we had it several times over a few days. It has a fresh and vibrant taste with lots and lots of vegetables, although I did leave out the yellow squash and olives. We enjoyed it very much!
Salad:
8 oz pasta, any variety
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/2 English cucumber, chopped
1 courgette, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 cup mozzarella cheese, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp dried basil3/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
To make the dressing, combine the olive oil, vinegar and spices in a small bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.
In a large bowl, add the chopped vegetables and the 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and set aside.
Cook the pasta according to package directions, drain and let cool.
Combine the cooled pasta with the vegetables, add in the mozzarella cheese, mix together and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
6 comments:
Summer pasta salads are the best! This sounds refreshing and would make the perfect lunch!
IT sounds like a really delicious salad for a light lunch or even as a side dish.
LOL!!! You're hubby and my hubby were slipped the same strange pill! He's had almost nothing but SALADS lately! (A FIRST since we've been married!) Only took me 10 years to convince him that salad won't kill him! Ha! The Italian Summer Salad sounds wonderful, and a perfect choice for the SRC! :)
Hi Sarah,
I am so excited that you and your husband liked the Italian Summer Salad, we just love that salad. Thank you for a lovely presentation and your very kind words. This is my last month with the SRC and it has been a pleasure to cook with you here. Hope you have a special day!
Miz Helen
I love pasta salads and this one sounds terrific! Of course, it has to be delicious if it came from Miz Helen! Your hubby should get a gold star for picking something healthy. Of course, you could always bake the cheesecake too.lol
Yum, I love pasta salad! Great SRC pick!
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