[senior citizen]

GREEK PASTA SALAD

8 servings

Ingredients for the dressing:

1 cup olive oil (will be divided for later use)
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 and a half teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Ingredients for the Salad:

1 pound rotini pasta cooked according to package directions

1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half
1 large cucumber, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 green onions, thinly sliced
3/4 cup Greek Kalamata Olives
1 and a half cups crumbled FETA cheese
7 oz. sliced pepperoni

DIRECTIONS:

In a large Mason jar or other sealable container, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, basil, oregano, black pepper and sugar. Shake well to combine.

In large bowl combine cooked drained pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, green onions, olives, feta cheese and pepperoni.

SEPARATE AND RESERVE 1/2 CUP OF THE DRESSING IN THE REFRIGERATOR .

Toss the pasta salad with the rest of the dressing until evenly coated.

Cover and chill overnight.

Right before serving, freshen the salad with the reserved dressing........tossing to coat.

This is best made the day before you want to serve it. You can customize it by leaving out the pepperoni if you wish.....or adding any other ingredient you wish.

You can also substitute Greek Seasoning for the spices above.......however, Greek Seasoning also has "Mint" in it.......so dependent on your tastes.

I've also added orange slices or even small Mandarin oranges to this salad.

You can change it up with cooked chilled shrimp if you want to get fancy.

A very colorful salad which can be a meal in one or nice addition to the grilled offerings.

Very refreshing in the heat of summer.........

[Patty55]

I make kind of the same thing but no dried spices, no garlic or pepperoni.

I also put broccoli, cauliflower and a bit of lemon. Sometimes chicken, shrimp sounds good.

[jnieman]

I also make this recipe minus the pepperoni and pasta. I serve it with chicken tenderloins marinated and grilled and put on warm Naan bread with homemade tzatziki sauce. So good!!

[tommy steam]

Wow , I'm getting hungry, sounds great!

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by tommy steam

Wow , I'm getting hungry, sounds great!

Do you all have Pinterest pages? Here's the link to mine.

Judy Nieman (judyinfl) on Pinterest

Now you'll even be more hungry! Everyone please share your pages!

[Crobin52]

Originally Posted by jnieman

Do you all have Pinterest pages? Here's the link to mine.

Judy Nieman (judyinfl) on Pinterest

Now you'll even be more hungry! Everyone please share your pages!

We're moving to our new home in Sanibel in 3 weeks. I love Pinterest! Here's a link to my Pinterest boards:
Charlene Hitzel Robinette (crobin52) on Pinterest