big dude
Sous Chef
After looking at the Pasta salad pics on Chez John’s blog http://chez-frontporch.blogspot.com (page down to April 23) decided I had to try it. Whipped up a batch this morning to be cold by dinner tonight. We had it with grilled salmon and it turned out real good. Here’s what he sent me about it.
“well, start by using a good pasta ... and don't overcook it
have all your veggies prepped & cut ... when the pasta is done, drain it good, then add the veggies to the pasta when it's still warm. this will take the *raw* edge off the veggies ... then add your dressing, herbs, meat, seasonings, etc. don't add the cheese until it's completely cooled ... you don't want the cheeses to melt.
i used a good oil cured green olive, stuffed with blue cheese ... and also some regular black olives
good hard salami, cubed
for the dressing, i used about 1/2 bottle of newman's oil/vinegar caesar dressing, and an additional 1/4 cup good olive oil
the herbs i used were dried oregano, basil and leaf thyme
also put a few red pepper flakes in it
the cheese i used was a package of kraft cheese crumbles (4 cheese blend) ... and also threw in a handful of shredded asiago
you can use whatever veggies you like ... you can probably see what i used ... i also like marinated artichokes and peas (frozen) in my pasta salads ... but didn't have any on hand this time
“well, start by using a good pasta ... and don't overcook it
have all your veggies prepped & cut ... when the pasta is done, drain it good, then add the veggies to the pasta when it's still warm. this will take the *raw* edge off the veggies ... then add your dressing, herbs, meat, seasonings, etc. don't add the cheese until it's completely cooled ... you don't want the cheeses to melt.
i used a good oil cured green olive, stuffed with blue cheese ... and also some regular black olives
good hard salami, cubed
for the dressing, i used about 1/2 bottle of newman's oil/vinegar caesar dressing, and an additional 1/4 cup good olive oil
the herbs i used were dried oregano, basil and leaf thyme
also put a few red pepper flakes in it
the cheese i used was a package of kraft cheese crumbles (4 cheese blend) ... and also threw in a handful of shredded asiago
you can use whatever veggies you like ... you can probably see what i used ... i also like marinated artichokes and peas (frozen) in my pasta salads ... but didn't have any on hand this time