Pasta Salad

This is one of the first recipes I was fascinated with while growing up.  My mother and my father made this for the typical family BBQ.  I thought that this should be the first recipe that I post, as it is one that I make often and many seem to thoroughly enjoy.  

The giardiniera brand that I like to use is Mancini.  I always buy the hot if it is for my boyfriend and I, but it is just as good with the mild giardiniera.  You can sub out some ingredients if you don't have them on hand and use what suits your tastes.  You can use reduced fat cheese, whole wheat pasta, and turkey pepperoni for a healthier version.

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 lb of rotini pasta
• 1 tablespoon of kosher salt
• 1 brick of sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
• 1 stick of pepperoni, sliced and chopped into fours
• 1 can of black olives, halved
• 1 large jar of giardiniera (hot or mild according to one's taste)
• 1 bottle of your favorite Italian dressing, or oil and vinegar dressing

 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil.  Add the salt to the water.  Cook the rotini pasta according to the directions on the box.  Strain the pasta and rinse thoroughly with cold water.
2. While the pasta is boiling, cube the cheddar cheese, slice and chop the pepperoni to the size you desire.  Halve the black olives.  Strain the oil from the jar of giardiniera, but save a little bit of it for the pasta salad.
3. Mix all the above prepped ingredients together in a large bowl.  Pour about 3-6 tablespoons of the giardiniera oil on top of your mixture.  Pour desired amount of dressing (about half the bottle) and mix well.
4. Refrigerate until you serve.

**Please note that the pasta will soak up the dressing, and you should stir again before serving and may need to add more dressing.

There you have your Pasta Salad.  This is great side dish to serve at any gathering.  Enjoy!