Yesterday my daughter Jasmine and I took the twins to the beach in Santa Cruz for Amber’s son’s b-day party. It was a very nice barbeque and Amber made yummy potato salad. I brought a pasta salad that I threw together with a sort of unique combination of ingredients. I was wondering how it would turn out since I didn’t put much thought into, but sometimes that’s when the best recipes happen. I was a little surprised when Amber said her family thought it was a hit. If you want a savory pasta, that’s a little different, that’s not loaded up with mayo – you might want to give this one a go. By the way, I’ve never seen two-year olds more daring in the ocean. Wild babies!
Nina’s Sicilian-Syle Pasta Salad
1 lb Penne pasta (I used “Pennette” from Trader Joes)
1 can of albacore tuna (in oil) – drain most of the oil.
1/4 cup olive oil – (about)
a few splashes of red wine vinegar
1/4 cup chopped black olives
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 medium red onion (finely chopped)
1 clove of crushed and chopped fresh garlic
6 slices of bacon (cooked and chopped)
1/2 cup of grated fresh parmesan cheese
1 tbl dried basil
salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Remember that I don’t measure ingredients, so these are approximate measurements. Also, it’s important to adjust to your own preferences.
- Cook pasta according to package directions (and remember to add salt to the water). You don’t need to add olive oil since the oil doesn’t mix with the water anyway.
- While the pasta is boiling, prepare all the ingredients, because once the pasta is drained (no need to rinse) you’re pretty much ready to go.
- In large bowl, add a couple splashes of olive oil, salt,the garlic and the red onion.
- Toss in the pasta and make sure it’s coated with those ingredients.
- Now you can just start adding the other ingredients – I really don’t think it matters in which order. Just leave the cheese for last.
- When it’s all mixed, give it a taste and add additional salt and olive oil to your taste.
- When finished, just sprink a little additional basil and cheese on the top. Of couse you can also garnish with freshly, chopped parsley.
I hope you’re having a wonderful summer and enjoying the fresh fruits and veggies from farmers market. I was at the Campbell Farmers Market this morning and snapped this photo below just so I can look at it in the Winter and long once again for summer!
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