Saturday, June 19, 2010

Summer Pasta Salad


This has become one of my all-time favorite summer side dishes.  I used to cook rotini, drain, and add a few cut up fresh veggies, McCormick Salad Supreme, and top it all with Italian dressing.  However, in the past couple of years, I've made this dish much healthier, and I think much tastier.

Now, I cook whole wheat rotini until al dente, drain, then add some extra virgin olive oil.  I saute or roast lots of fresh veggies - mushrooms, red bell peppers, onions, etc., toss them in, add a fresh tomato, then add my 2 favorite ingredients:  McCormick Salad Supreme and FRESH BASIL.
  Oh my-I am in love with fresh basil.   The Salad Supreme really puts this dish over the top, in my opinion.  

You can do a variety of things with this dish.  My friend, Jeri, added pressed fresh garlic to the olive oil before adding it, then she added small fresh mozzarella balls.  I've seen Parmesan cheese added, shredded carrots, squash, etc.  There are so many things you can do with it.   The point is that pasta salad is very diverse and as unique as the lady who whips it up!   If you have a pasta salad you like, please share your ideas!

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