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| image taken from tasteofhome.com |
I love cooking in the summer months!!
Most of my fave foods include fresh salads loaded with garden veggies and delicious dressings...and anything grilled....dinner on the deck....YES!
My family really enjoys this one! In fact, almost everyone I serve it to, raves about it!
I first discovered this salad in a Taste of Home magazine but I have tweaked it to suit our tastes. It's somewhat different......the girls really like it when I bring it on a picnic or social BBQ event. In fact, I most likely will bring it to a family get-together at my sister Hope's house in August!
Here's the version my family loves:
Poppy Seed Pasta Salad
3/4 lb of whole grain pasta
(we like the spirals or penne for this)
1 c, halved cherry tomatoes
1/4 c. sliced black olives, drained
1/2 c. fresh broccoli florets, chopped
1/4 c. summer squash, diced
1/2 c. shredded carrots
half a cucumber, sliced and then quartered
1/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. poppy seed salad dressing
(we like the Kraft Creamy Poppyseed
but my fave is Vidalia Onion and Poppyseed from Fly Creek Cider Mill
.....if we don't have any in the house,I simply cut 1/4 of a sweet onion into thin slices and arrange on top of the salad)
- Cook the pasta according to package directions; set aside after draining and rinsing in cold water.
- Place pasta in large serving bowl and add the veggies.
- Pour dressing over the top and toss gently to coat through.
- Cover and refrigerate for about 1-2 hours (or overnight).
- Just before serving, sprinkle with 1/4 c. sunflower kernals or toasted almonds (optional).
Menu Ideas
Serve just this salad with hot garlic bread and fresh fruit like watermelon chunks tossed with cantaloupe balls, sliced pears and blueberries.
Serve with a BBQ chicken and steamed green beans.
Serve with grilled steak and corn on the cob.
OR....stuff leftover salad into a pita pocket for the next day's lunch!
What are some of your favorite summer salads?? Please share in the comment box!
Please feel free to copy this recipe!
ENJOY!
3 comments:
Sounds delicious, Faith. My favorite summer salad is baby spinach, sliced strawberies, thinly sliced sweet or purple onion, handful of chopped walnuts drizzled and tossed with Litehouse Raspberry Walnut Vinagarette. Or Romaine lettuce, crisp tart apple diced, chopped pecans or walnuts tossed with Miracle Whip to taste.
Oh I make a spinach salad similar to yours minus the strawberries (am allergic to them). I use raspberries or blueberries in mine!! Don't you just love all the fresh stuff this time of year??
Sounds wonderful - thanks for sharing!
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