Summertime Pasta Salad

Those of you who know me, and have invited me to some type of pot-luck function or have attended one at my house, you have eaten or at least seen my Summertime Pasta Salad.  I got this out of a Rachel Ray magazine several years ago and changed it up quite a bit. It's perfect now, if I do say so myself :) It's so stinking easy, keeps for days, and it's great to take to an event where food will be sitting without refrigeration.  I'm actually going to make this tonight - have a work pot luck tomorrow!

 

Summertime Pasta Salad (I rarely measure olive oil or vinegar, just add until you think it’s enough!)

1 pound tri-colored short cut pasta, rotini or fusilli or anything you want (I usually use 2 12 ounce bags. This salad keeps for several days! Good to take to lunch)

3 to 5 bell peppers depending on size.  (Use variations of color)- sliced in thin strips “length wise”

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved (about a cup)

2 cloves garlic – finely chopped or minced (can use already minced out of a jar)

1 small jar (or half can) quartered and marinated artichoke hearts – drained and chopped

1 small can sliced black olives – drained

½ red onion, thinly sliced

¾ cup extra-virgin olive iol

½ cup red wine vinegar

1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, chopped (or a couple of tablespoons dried)

Juice from one smallish lemon (or 1 teaspoon bottled juice)

Italian seasoning, dried, a small palm full (about a tablespoon)

Salt and pepper to taste

·         Boil a large part of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water and set aside for at least 10 minutes.

·         In a large bowl, place bell peppers, tomatoes, olives, artichokes, onion. Set aside

·         In a big bowl (really big!) add the lemon juice, garlic, vinegar.  Wisk in the olive oil until an orange-ish dressing forms. 

·         Pour the veggies from bowl 1 into bowl 2 with the dressing.  Toss with a large spoon to coat.

·         Add the pasta, salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, and basil. Toss again.