AlmiraGulch Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Despite my resolve to limit the simple carbs, I've been seriously craving a cold pasta salad and so I think it's what's going to be for diner tonight, with some grilled chicken breast. Normally I just add whatever strikes my fancy (olives, fresh mozzarella or provolone, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, red/green/yellow peppers, red onion, parmesan), dump my favorite italian dressing over it and let it sit for a bit. I'm kind of bored of that, though. What are your favorite or secret special ingredients for cold pasta? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAnn Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Goddess dressing! I like Annie's or TJs brand. Also green olives, tuna, fresh carrots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Pepperoni chunks or summer sausage (Dont judge me! LOL) I usually do red onion, roasted red peppers, olives and mini fresh mozzarella balls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Here are a few I've recently tried, but I don't do it with pasta, can't have the wheat. These have been in green salads, but I can picture them tossed with pasta. Spinach leaves Roasted mushrooms Asparagus (lightly blanched) Fresh fennel Heirloom tomatoes Manchego, feta, blue or goat cheese crumbles Fresh dill Jicama Cucumber Red onion Try mixing up some different vinaigrettes,or just use a different vinegar in your usual recipe (balsamic, red wine, white wine, Riesling, champagne, tarragon... there are many varieties to experiment with). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pushplaylearning Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I love dried tomatoes, green peppers and feta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 crushed red peppers or a bit of green Tabasco sauce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Good quality anchovies mashed into the dressing (with garlic and olive oil). Even those who would recoil at the thought of anchovies (if they knew :D) will ask "what makes it so good?" Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlmiraGulch Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 Good quality anchovies mashed into the dressing (with garlic and olive oil). Even those who would recoil at the thought of anchovies (if they knew :D) will ask "what makes it so good?" Bill I love anchovies, so you'll get no back-talk from me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlmiraGulch Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 These sound delicious, and I'm starving. Recently I did one where I mixed in crumbled goat cheese, dried tart cherries, slivered almonds, fresh mint, olive oil, salt and pepper. Man, that was good. For tonight, I've decided to go with pesto, balsamic marinated tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella, simply because that's what I have on hand and it will go nicely with grilled chicken breasts. I decided not to drive to the store when I remembered I've indulged in a couple of my favorite bourbon cocktails this afternoon, and the hubs is working today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Not yet mentioned: Chickpeas, cucumber, shredded carrots, water chesnuts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlessedMom Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Pepper jack cheese, red onion, black olives, artichoke hearts! Occasionally I add salami. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Despite my resolve to limit the simple carbs, I've been seriously craving a cold pasta salad and so I think it's what's going to be for diner tonight, with some grilled chicken breast. Normally I just add whatever strikes my fancy (olives, fresh mozzarella or provolone, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, red/green/yellow peppers, red onion, parmesan), dump my favorite italian dressing over it and let it sit for a bit. I'm kind of bored of that, though. What are your favorite or secret special ingredients for cold pasta? My secret is to sauté the peppers in oil on the stove, then add to the pasta salad and chill it. Then they aren't so crunchy, but quite delicious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 You could also go in the creamy direction... Homemade ranch, bacon, peas, shredded carrots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Feta cheese - it adds a lot of flavor to the pasta salad. I do a Greek Salad with Feta, red onion, kalamata olives, spinach, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I forgot prosciutto, cut in small pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I forgot prosciutto, cut in small pieces. We'll let it go this time. Just don't let it happen again. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I wish my family liked pasta salad :( Because they don't, I rarely make it. A really easy version i've made before - pasta, balsamic vinaigrette, small brocolli pieces, chopped carrot, and cauliflower (with cheese if desires). Yummy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRG Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Shrimp, avocaodes, yellow tomatoes, black olives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 The one I love and always get requests for has pasta, spinach, chicken, mandarins and sugar-toasted almonds. The dressing is mayo, yogurt, powdered ranch dressing mix, soy sauce and garlic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostSurprise Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 pesto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 We'll let it go this time. Just don't let it happen again. :-) Ha! I had this mental list and after I hit post I knew I'd missed something. I'm just glad the memory of it didn't wake me out of a sound sleep at 2am! That salad was yummy... Riesling vinaigrette over spinach leaves with smoked grapes, Gorgonzola cheese and slivered prosciutto. Yum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Good quality anchovies mashed into the dressing (with garlic and olive oil). Even those who would recoil at the thought of anchovies (if they knew :D) will ask "what makes it so good?" Bill Yum! This sounds delicious. I just need someone to mash the anchovies for me! I could eat it but I couldn't smush it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Fresh Basil - lots of it canned artichoke hearts, chopped (add canning juice also) crushed & chopped fresh garlic those are the essentials - add them to any pasta salad recipe and you're good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Tinned peaches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Not mentioned: summer squash or zucchini, cubed. I think hot pickled okra might be good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffeemama Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Feta cheese - it adds a lot of flavor to the pasta salad. I do a Greek Salad with Feta, red onion, kalamata olives, spinach, etc. I make a quinoa salad with all of the above plus tomatoes. I believe quinoa is a little healthier than pasta and just as easy to make, so you could go that route once in a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Celery seed is an awesome seasoning for pasta salad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in FL. Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 My go to cold pasta salad has: tomatoes, feta, black olives, green onions, red peppers, dill, oregano, and a vinagrette (olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, pepper). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Celery seed is an awesome seasoning for pasta salad Yes! I also add this to tuna salad if I have no mayo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 So hungry... :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbeym Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 You could also go in the creamy direction... Homemade ranch, bacon, peas, shredded carrots. Do you have a good recipe for the homemade ranch to share? I've tried several but still looking for one we like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Do you have a good recipe for the homemade ranch to share? I've tried several but still looking for one we like. I use about 1/2 cup mayo and 1/2 cup sour cream. Enough buttermilk to make it pourable...I like mine thin. A finely minced garlic clove. Then I use dried herbs and spices...bc I always have them on hand, KWIM? I use about a tsp of dried chives, a dash of onion powder, a pinch of dried parsley, salt and pepper. Other recipes I've seen leave out the sour cream or use different proportions of sour cream and mayo. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Feta cheese. Pine nuts. Frozen baby peas. (Thawed). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlmiraGulch Posted September 3, 2013 Author Share Posted September 3, 2013 I make a quinoa salad with all of the above plus tomatoes. I believe quinoa is a little healthier than pasta and just as easy to make, so you could go that route once in a while. I love quinoa and make it fairly often! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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