best pasta salad recipe EVER

This is a recipe that my bestie Jenn gave me years ago. I LOVE it. If one of us whips it up, we’re sure to save a bowl for the other.

Pasta Salad with Olives and Fresh Mozzarella

1 TBS olive oil & 2 TBS of salt (put in water when boiling pasta)
1 lb of pasta shells
3/4 cups of sliced black olives
1 cup fresh cubed mozzarella
2 med tomatoes peeled and diced
1 large cucumber peeled and diced
1 med red onion diced (I only use half)
2 bunches of fresh oregano chopped (we just sprinkle some dried in the mix)
1/2 cup of red wine vinegar
3 dashes of hot sauce
salt and pepper (you’ll need at least 1/2 tsp of salt)
optional: 1 small jar of capers drained

Cook pasta. Make sure it is al dente. Cool it quick by dipping it in a pan of ice water.
While pasta is cooking, chop up remaining ingredients. Once pasta in cool mix it all together and taste. Add more salt and or pepper to your liking. Then YUMMY! It’s done!

It makes a lot so be nice and share!

can't get enough of it

Right now my kids are being little chefs in the kitchen by making their own lunch – french bread pizzas from a leftover loaf that needs to be eaten. Now if I had fixed it, they would not have been too happy with the results – but since they have made it – all I can hear is rave reviews about how perfect the pizza is. (I love it!)

Last night I fixed a pasta sauce that I love. Although no one else in the house likes it I give it 5 STARS! I seriously wanted to lick the leftover sauce off the plate.

Now, I only made the sauce last night – though I have made the entire dish. I added some leftover Mexican style chicken to it. I didn’t have Tequila so I added extra lime juice. I also just used regular whipping cream instead of heavy.

Chicken Tequila Fettuccini

INGREDIENTS

* 1 (16 ounce) package fettuccine pasta
* 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
* 2 tablespoons minced garlic
* 2 tablespoons minced jalapeno peppers
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 1/2 cup chicken stock
* 3 tablespoons tequila
* 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
* 3 tablespoons soy sauce
* 1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cubed
* 1/4 red onion, sliced
* 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
* 1/2 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
* 1/2 green bell pepper, sliced
* 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan, saute the cilantro, garlic and jalapeno pepper in 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the stock, tequila and lime juice. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until reduced to a paste-like consistency. Set aside.
2. Pour soy sauce over the chicken and set aside for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, In a medium sized skillet, saute the onion and the red, green and yellow bell peppers with the remaining tablespoon of butter or margarine, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, cook fettuccine according to package directions.
4. When the peppers have wilted, add the chicken and soy sauce. Toss and add the reserved tequila/lime paste and cream. Bring to a boil. Gently simmer until chicken is cooked through and sauce is thick. Toss with well drained fettuccine and garnish with cilantro. Serve.

sometimes you just need to try something new

I really enjoy cooking. I love vegetables but I am pretty much eating them solo at meal times, if I ever take the time and actually prepare them. As long as I can remember, I have never been scared to try a new dish. Desserts on the other hand – I do get nervous like a small child and I am very reluctant to open my mouth to try out a new treat. So, I have come to the conclusion – it must be in the genes as to what a person feels comfortable trying and not trying.

Today I made a new dish. I knew from the get go – it would be all mine – but I did manage to pry the mouths open of my kids to get in one small bite. They hated it, as I knew they would but I really really enjoyed it. It’s a great twist on an old classic – potato salad.

Idaho Potato, Broccoli and Fennel Salad

Ingredients: (I cut this all in half knowing I was the only one eating it – and maybe I’ll take some to my neighbor b/c it still made a large amount.)

8 large Idaho Potatoes (about 4 lbs), well scrubbed, cut into 3/4-inch chunks

1/2 tsp salt

4 cup chopped broccoli (about 1 bunch)

2 cup favorite light ranch salad dressing (16 oz)

3 cup chopped fennel (about one large bulb), with core and tops removed

1 large red onion, quartered and very thinly sliced (about 1½ cups)

1/2 cup diced green olives with pimento (optional) *

1 pinch salt and pepper, or to taste

1 bed of leaf lettuce and cherry tomatoes or sliced tomatoes (garnish)

Directions:

Fill a large stockpot half full of water, add salt and bring to boiling over high heat. Add potatoes and bring back to boiling over high heat; reduce heat to medium and boil 3 minutes.

Add broccoli to the potatoes and bring back to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium again, and cook until desired doneness (1 – 3 minutes). Potatoes and broccoli should both be firm. Drain well in a colander.

Transfer potatoes and broccoli to a large mixing bowl, add ranch dressing and let cool. Stir in fennel, onions, and olives, if using. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Serve on a bed of leaf lettuce, with ripe tomatoes as a garnish.

New Recipe

Tried a new pasta dish tonight. It was so delicious.

We did not have any tequila so I am not exactly sure what you would have called my version but it was great. The jalapenos gave it a BIG KICK, we really digged it. The kids ate plain pasta, of course. We have yet to get the whole family eating the same thing. Maybe once they are 18 I will have it mastered.

Tonight I took a long bath to get warm. When my man woke up this morning the house was 60 degrees. He mercifully turned on the heat. I really don’t like winter. When I get cold all I want to do is curl up in bed and remain. Still emotional from yesterday. Kept busy but it is something that I just can’t figure out. I am so analytical I want to think it to an “end”. I appreciate the sweet support from all the comments. I was so hesitant to write about it, but you know, it’s my blog. It’s my life. So I started a novel tonight to help round up my brain waves and let them get hyper on something else.

Only one week left to be lazy. I cannot wait until the time change. I honestly have really enjoyed sleeping late since it’s too dark for me to exercise in the morning before my man leaves for work. But with the upcoming time change that means I’ve got to get back in the groove. I really am excited! I love my mornings outside. It’s so awesome.

okay, I am off to bed. Feeling pretty random, which isn’t very unusual. Good night.