Punctuate the Party with Pasta Salad

Summer gatherings and pasta salads are synonymous - light, easy, colorful, and most importantly, convenient.

Potluck Pasta Salad is the perfect punctuation to any warm weather meal. Ready in about half an hour, this pasta salad can be customized to feature the season's freshest ingredients as well as pantry and fridge staples, and family favorites.

To start, prepare the rotini according to package directions. By using Dreamfields pasta there are some added nutritional benefits to this already healthful salad. Made from durum wheat semolina, Dreamfields provides the same taste and texture as traditional pasta but with twice the fiber and fewer digestible carbohydrates (only five grams) per serving. This makes it ideal for everyone in the family, especially those who have diabetes or pre-diabetes.

While the pasta cooks, whisk together the ingredients for Herbed Vinaigrette and choose the mix-ins. Select fresh and crisp-tender cooked veggies like carrots, asparagus, broccoli and snap peas; proteins such as ham, shrimp, cheese; or olives and fresh herbs. Four cups of mix-ins for a box of pasta is just the right amount.

Then toss the pasta, mix-ins and dressing. Serve immediately or refrigerate until meal time. This flavorful combo makes an ideal dish for backyard barbeques, picnics and everyday meals.

Visit www.TryDreamfields.com/pastasalad for more recipes and to submit your own pasta salad recipe for a chance to win a case of Dreamfields pasta.

Potluck Pasta Salad

Ingredients

1 box Dreamfields Rotini or Penne Rigate

4 cups mix-ins (see below)

Dressing: Herbed Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

Preparation

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again.

Add desired mix-ins and half of dressing. Toss to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until chilled; toss before serving. Add additional dressing, as desired.

Serves
Makes 8 servings

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Suggested Mix-Ins:

* Crisp-tender cooked vegetables: green beans, broccoli, asparagus, corn, sugar snap peas, green peas, edamame, zucchini, yellow squash

* Raw vegetables: shredded or sliced carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, celery, avocado, spinach, radish, onions

* Other: olives, cheese - shredded or crumbled, herbs

* Meats: Salami strips, cooked chicken, tuna, shrimp, crabmeat, ham, beef steak slices, prosciutto

*If traditional pasta is used in this recipe there is a total of 38 g carbohydrate. For more information, go to www.dreamfieldsfoods.com.

Calories:	239g	Total Fat:	6g
Cholesterol:	8mg	Protein:
Carbohydrates:	8g	Sodium:	280mg

Preparation Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
10 minutes

Herbed Vinaigrette

Ingredients

1/2 cup white wine vinegar or rice vinegar

1/3 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh herbs such as thyme, basil, oregano, parsley

Preparation

In small bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil. Whisk in mustard and garlic. Add herbs.

Serves
Makes 3/4 cup

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Note: A favorite prepared vinaigrette may be substituted for the Herbed Vinaigrette.

Preparation Time:
10 minutes

SOURCE:
Dreamfields Foods