| > | | | | you’re ambitious, your favorite homemade |
| Has this ever happened to you? You’ve been | | | | dressing. Now for the fun part. Cook the noodles, |
| invited to a party and realize you don’t have a | | | | following package directions and then drain. Pour the |
| meal to bring. Not only that, but the party starts in an | | | | dressing on while the noodles are warm so they will |
| hour. What should you do? You have four options: | | | | absorb that entire good oily flavor. Look around your |
| Don’t go, and miss out on a really fun time. | | | | kitchen to see if you have any of the following |
| Show up empty-handed and explain red-faced that | | | | ingredients: Fresh veggies — carrots, broccoli, |
| you forgot. Grab a casserole dish and head to the deli. | | | | green onions Frozen vegetables — frozen peas |
| Order your food and have them put it right into your | | | | are wonderful in pasta salad Cubed or shredded |
| casserole dish. Yes, I’ve done this. It’s | | | | cheese Garbanzo beans (also known as Chick Peas) |
| expensive but it works. If you get asked for the recipe, | | | | Black Olives Toss in whatever you can find. It’s |
| just wink and say It’s Grandma’s | | | | an everything goes’ type of recipe. Bring |
| secret recipe. Whip up a big batch of pasta salad | | | | more dressing with you in case you need to add it |
| for only a few dollars, and have plenty left over to eat | | | | later, and voila! You’re done. If you’re |
| for lunch during the week. You will save money and | | | | feeling fancy, you can bring some cherry tomatoes, |
| look good showing up at the party with a great dish. | | | | parmesan cheese, bacon bits or sunflower seeds as |
| Pasta salad is truly one of the easiest meals to | | | | toppings. It’s all good. The next time you are |
| prepare. All you need are noodles and salad dressing. | | | | invited to a party, don’t panic. Just grab these |
| You can use pretty much any salad dressing on the | | | | instructions and whip up a meal in minutes. Enjoy! |
| market — the standards like Italian, Ranch, or, if | | | | |