Tubetini Pasta Salad

Recipes

Many of the recipes in this month’s note are archived in the recipe section of my website. Here however is a new addition that is sure to add to any summer’s entertainment.


Tubetini Pasta Salad

Pasta salad has come a long way from the macaroni salad laden with mayonnaise from the deli. This salad is made with tubetini pasta, small pasta tubes that do not overwhelm the rest of the ingredients but compliment them. As for the ingredients, they can be almost anything from your garden, refrigerator or pantry. I like to use the same dressing (a combo of mayo along with olive oil infused with fresh garlic and herbs) but vary the ingredients according to the season, what I have on hand and my whim of the moment. The recipe below is just one delicious version and I encourage you to experiment with and make your own.



1 lb. tubetini pasta
1 package frozen sweet peas--cooked according to package directions and cooled
1 fresh mozzarella--diced
1 8 oz. package grape tomatoes--sliced vertically
1 sweet bell pepper (red, yellow or orange are best) cored and medium diced
1 bunch fresh arugula--stems removed and torn in half
1 bunch grilled asparagus--cut in bite size pieces
1 can of sliced black olives
Fresh grated parmesan cheese--to taste
Season with salt and pepper
¾ cup (or according to taste) dressing below

Dressing

1/2 cup of mayo
¼ cup of olive oil infused with 1 large clove of fresh garlic (finely chopped) +
2-3 tablespoons fresh chopped flat leaf Italian parsley

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the mayo and toss followed by the infused olive oil. Add more of both the mayo and the olive oil if the salad is too dry.