Thursday, July 14, 2011

Best Summer Pasta Salad


A couple of years ago my friend Robin hosted a party at her home and served the most delicious pasta salad.  She shared the recipe with me and every since, it's my "go to" summer salad.


After boiling your pasta, the salad takes only about 5 minutes to prep.  Here's the yummy recipe if you'd like to give it a try:


ROBIN'S PASTA SALAD
Ingredients:
1 pound pasta (I like to use bow tie)
Zest and juice of 1 lemon (if you don't have a fresh lemon on hand, a tablespoon of store-bought juice works)
Olive oil to moisten cooked pasta (I use about 1/4 cup)
2 handfuls of toasted pine nuts
2 handfuls of dried cranberries (cranraisins work too)
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 tablespoon dried sweet basil (fresh basil if you'd like)
Salt & pepper to taste (I like using Lawry's)

Directions:
1. Cook and drain pasta according to package directions
2. Add all of the ingredients and toss well
3. Enjoy!

On a different note, I've discovered a fun blog that you might enjoy too ~ Kristin's Bringing Pretty Back.  Hope you'll check her out and tell her I sent you.

Please remember to enter my super fabu giveaway this month ~ over $200 in Retro Revival products and J&O gift cards!  Lots of people have already entered and I'm having a blast seeing all of the pictures, including this one from Charity:


Charity's wearing a custom Sleep Bonnet I made for her.  Isn't she just gorgeous?!  As far as I can tell, she's in the lead right now with the most "likes" for her photo.  I'm hoping that one of you, my loyal blog followers, will win the contest ~ good luck to you all!

9 comments:

Paula Parrish said...

Hello Cindy,
I am always on the look out for new recipes to try out in the kitchen. Plus this recipe has two of my favorite ingredients cranberries and feta cheese. Sounds like a Yummy recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Smiles, Paula

Betty Lou said...

Recipe sound delicious, i love pasta salad but hubby is gluten free. Will see if it works with a gluten free pasta of some kind.

Unknown said...

Making my list and heading to the store right now!! That looks and sounds amazing!!

Suz said...

I love Charity's bonnet with the animal print! And the easy recipe!

Kim said...

That pasta sounds wonderful!

Bring Pretty Back said...

That bonnett is so cute!!
I NEED a new summer salad. I have run the ones I have to death! This one sounds delish! Thanks for the mention of my blog! On Monday www.aprettylife.com will be all set up and I can't wait!
THANKS AGAIN for the mention! So sweet of you!
Have a PRETTY day!
Kristin

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

mmmmmmm.....cranberries....got to love that - we've never put cranberries in a pasta salad...salad yes, pasta no...but things will change!

Simple Home said...

This sounds delicious :) I love pine nuts with pasta but I usually toast them. I love the idea of adding cranberries too.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Marcia

Suz said...

I want to order this shower cap. Can I get just like the one in the photo?