Pasta Salad Perfecto

or

How to Make

Herb-Infused Pasta Salad

Part of the Kitchen Zen for Men recipe collection

I'm sitting on my screen-in porch watching the dozen or so hummingbirds that have called my property their home pirouette in mid-air and chase each other away from the eight feeders I have hanging from the eaves of my house. My three dogs, Freckle, Sammie and Zoe are all side by side peering out of the screen door towards my garden, just waiting for a cat or deer to haplessly wander by so they can do their job and chase it away. The Hummingbirds chirp anxiously at each other and speed away in pursuit of their competition and I'm wondering - What will I fix for dinner tonight?

It's time for a panty raid. I open my cupboard and see a bag of veggie pasta twirls on the third shelf, and my mind races to concoct a new recipe for my Kitchen Zen for Men collection. My herb garden is in full swing, so I decide on an herb-infused version of this recipe using only fresh herbs, olive oil and whatever I can find in the ‘fridge.

So, here it is. I just finished eating a huge bowl full of the best pasta salad I've ever made, so I thought I'd share it with you. I'll definitely be making this again.

You'll need:

1 ea. 12 oz. package veggie pasta spirals

1 1/3 cup celery, chopped

½ cup sweet red pepper

2 Tbsp. fresh chives, snipped

1 Tbsp. fresh oregano

½ tsp. fresh thyme, chopped finely

3 Tbsp. fresh basil, chiffonade cut (packed tightly)

½ tsp. fresh rosemary chopped

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. fresh-cracked pepper

1 Tbsp. Balsamic vinegar

¼ cup red onion, diced

1 cup freshly-grated parmesan (omit for a vegan version)

1 ½ cups sliced black olives (1 ea. 6 oz. can)

To make the dressing, combine the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside. Cook veggie pasta according to package instruction, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Chop the herbs, onion, red pepper, black olives and celery. In a large mixing bowl combine the drained pasta with the herbs, onion, celery and red pepper. Mix well. Stir dressing and drizzle over pasta mixture. Add parmesan cheese and stir well.

Enjoy a heart-healthy herb-infused version of pasta salad!

See Kitchen Zen for Men Master Hub at http://hubpages.com/hub/Kitchen-Zen-for-Men-Master-Hub--Recipe-Links-and-Important-Tips for more delicious recipes for fish & game, poultry, breads, pasta and home brewing instructions for mead and wine.

Namaste.