If you don't have this on your table, are you really having a summer cookout?
There are a few things I make a beeline for at any cookout: chips and dip, cheeseburgers, and the giant bowl of pasta salad that's usually nestled somewhere in the back of all the other items. I don't know what it is about pasta salad that has me suddenly able to house about three pounds of material in my stomach (and why it's so... so much better than potato salad), but I do know that in my mind, absolutely no cookout spread is complete without it. And with summer well on the way, you bet we gotta get a recipe for your cookout line-up (or as a thing to bring at your friends' potluck-style cookouts!)
Normally, you'll see pasta salads that are loaded with mayonnaise and more meaty thigs, like cubes of ham—and don't get me wrong, I go just as crazy for that type as the type we're talking about today—but the thing is, it's summer, baby! And that means we're loaded with fresh herbs, tomatoes, and other delicious things that just don't quite jive with mayonnaise. However, they do jive with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, making a salad that's not only bursting with bright flavor, but also tends to be quite a good bit lighter on the stomach.
Our magic, naturally, is focusing on all things that inspire love, joy, protection, and vitality: the oregano, thyme, basil, chickpea, and mustard.
Let's talk about it.
Magic in Summer Pasta Salad
With fresh herbs straight out of the garden, you know that the magic will be even more popping than usual—but if you're not a green thumbed individual, no worries. Store bought fresh herbs (or even dried if you don't want to have fresh ones hiding in the fridge) still do wonders here. And specifically, these herbs are all about love, joy, protection, the banishment of evil and the invitation of good. Combine that with some solid vegetable proteins like peas and chickpeas, and you also add a layer of wealth, abundance, and luck. And of course, what's there not to say about mustard? This hard working little guy is famous for its mention in the Gospels, where Jesus reminds us that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. It's a pretty spectacular spice for all things vitality, power, and faith for that reason!
We bring together the elemental influences of water, fire, and air, all powers of beauty and friendship, creativity and vigor, and communication and whimsy, as well as the planetary influences of Venus and Mars, which are named after the legendary gods of love and beauty, war and power. With these energies swirling together, there's a balance of bright energy and deep connection, the perfect thing to infuse into any social gathering with friends and family.
Summer Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Makes 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
1lb elbow macaroni
8oz cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 onions, fried in 1 Tbsp butter
8oz cheddar, cut in small cubes
1 can chickpeas, rinsed & drained
1 can sweet peas, rinsed & drained
4oz grated romano cheese
1 bunch fresh basil, chopped fine
1 bunch fresh oregano, chopped fine
1 bunch fresh thyme, removed from stem
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1-2 Tbsp mustard
(OptionaL) 1-2 Tbsp honey
1 Tsp paprika
1/2 Tbsp onion powder
1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
You might also add olives or cucumbers if you enjoy these things!
Directions:
Fry (& season with salt) onions in butter until translucent, then set aside and let cool.
Boil pasta according to package directions, then rinse until cold, drain, and set aside.
Chop tomatoes, cheese, and herbs, then add to a bowl.
Rinse peas and add to bowl.
Add pasta and softened onions, then mix well.
Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, and honey if wanted, then mix well.
Serve alongside any of your favorite cookout foods!
Your pasta salad lovers will be pleasantly surprised with a recipe like this, trust me. All the satisfaction of eating pasta salad, but none of the impending stomach ache that might come with eating a huge glomp of mayonnaise (and none of the sleepiness that might come, too). It's a hit on any table and makes use of summer's greatest gifts, so definitely try it out!
Other Recipes You May Like:
Sara Raztresen is a Slovene-American writer, screenwriter, and Christian witch. Her fantasy works draw heavily on the wisdom she gathers from her own personal and spiritual experience, and her spiritual practice borrows much of the whimsy and wonder that modern society has relegated to fairy-and-folktale. Her goal is to help people regain their spiritual footing and discover God through a new (yet old) lens of mysticism.
Comentarios