Garth's Pasta Salad: A Refreshing and Flavorful Summer Dish
In the realm of summer cookouts, picnics, and potlucks, Garth's Pasta Salad stands as a culinary beacon of refreshment and vibrant flavors. With its medley of colorful vegetables, tender pasta, and a tangy dressing, this salad is a delightful symphony of textures and tastes that will tantalize your palate. The recipe offers two delectable variations: a classic vinaigrette dressing and a creamy ranch dressing, catering to diverse preferences. Whether you prefer the tangy zest of the vinaigrette or the rich creaminess of the ranch, both dressings perfectly complement the salad's vibrant ingredients. As you explore the detailed instructions, you'll discover the secrets behind achieving the perfect balance of flavors and textures, ensuring that every bite is a burst of summertime goodness.
PICNIC PASTA SALAD
Provided by Trisha Yearwood
Time 25m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a pot of water to boil and add a generous amount of salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package directions.
- Meanwhile, prepare the vinaigrette. Zest 1 lemon into a large mixing bowl. Add the juice of both lemons, honey and some salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. While continuing to whisk, slowly pour in the olive oil to emulsify the mixture into a light dressing.
- When the pasta is cooked, drain and immediately pour into the large mixing bowl with the lemon-honey vinaigrette. Toss the pasta with the walnuts, apricots, lemon thyme, mint and radicchio. Gently toss to combine and pour into a serving dish. Serve at room temperature or store, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
THREE GARLIC PASTA
Here's a perfect dinner for the garlic devotee: pasta with garlic three ways -- raw, roasted, and fried.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dinner Recipes Dinner Side Dishes
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Wrap garlic head in foil, or place in garlic roaster; roast until soft and golden, about 1 hour. Let cool, trim tip of head; squeeze out cloves, using back of knife. Transfer to small bowl; set aside.
- Cook pasta until al dente. Drain, and run under cold water to stop cooking.
- Thinly slice five cloves of unroasted garlic. Finely chop remaining three cloves. Heat oil over medium heat in large skillet. Add sliced garlic; toast until golden and crisp. Remove garlic with slotted spoon; set aside. Add chopped garlic; saute until translucent, about 1 1/2 minutes. Add roasted garlic and white wine; let simmer about 3 minutes. Add pasta, parsley, red pepper, and salt and pepper to taste; toss. Serve sprinkled with toasted garlic slivers. Grate Parmesan over each serving.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a good quality olive oil will make a big difference in the taste of your pasta salad.
- Cook the pasta al dente: This means cooking it just until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and won't hold its shape well in the salad.
- Let the pasta cool completely before adding the other ingredients: This will prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- Use a light dressing: A heavy dressing will weigh down the salad and make it less refreshing. A simple vinaigrette or olive oil and lemon juice dressing is a good option.
- Add a variety of vegetables: This will make the salad more colorful and nutritious. Some good choices include cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and zucchini.
- Add some protein: This will make the salad more filling. Some good choices include grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
- Add some herbs: Herbs will add flavor and freshness to the salad. Some good choices include basil, oregano, and parsley.
- Chill the salad before serving: This will help the flavors to meld together and make the salad more refreshing.
Conclusion:
Pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or a picnic.
It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a pasta salad recipe that everyone will enjoy.
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