Unpredictable Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad is really a personal thing. There are so many ways you can make it and all of them are wonderful. It goes perfect with sandwiches and green salads. It is MUCH better for you than greasy potato chips! Pair it up with some fruit (a sprig of grapes) and some sweet iced tea and you have a delicious light meal for lunch.

Here is a quick list of ingredients that you can mix and match (use them according to your own tastes) to create a unique pasta salad that you can call your own:

GENERIC
2 tbsp. olive oil
pasta (spirals or any tube-shaped pasta works well)
chop tomato (or halved grape tomatoes)
onion (chopped red onion or green onion)
salt (garlic salt is my favorite, celery salt is good also)
garlic
vinegar (just a dash)
dill
beans (kidney, chick-pea, red beans, etc.)
fresh veggies (slivered bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, shredded carrot...)
Sugar (just a dash)

ITALIAN or GREEK
basil
rosemary
feta
chopped olives (or whole, pick your favorite flavor!)
pepperoni
grilled tuna
Capers

AMERICAN
cheese (shredded or cubed)
nuts (almond slivers, roasted pine nuts or roasted chopped pecans)
ranch packet (this may have MSG - as most ranch dressings do)
pepper (fresh ground or red pepper flakes)
bacon
grilled salmon, or grilled chicken
dry mustard powder or Dijon mustard

INDIAN
curry powder
golden raisins
Zante currants
turmeric
coriander powder

I would NOT try to add everything on this list or you would get flavor OVERLOAD - just pick and choose the things that sound good together. Go with an international theme or be generic. Even with only a few ingredients, you can still have a tasty finished product!

Oh, think of the things you can create with a simple bowl of pasta!


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