A wise woman (Dani’s Grandma) once claimed, “food is the zest of life” and the Dolls couldn’t agree more. Caitlin and Dani have a passion for bringing our loved ones together over a delicious meal. Although the pandemic has made it difficult to celebrate with social distancing rules in place, it seems eating together is one of the main ‘normal’ things we can still enjoy. With that being said, the pandemic can’t stop, won’t stop us from creating one of our favorite pasta salad dishes to share with all.
You’ve watched us create this pasta salad masterpiece on our instagram stories time and time again and have asked for the recipe! We hope you get into it and enjoy the process. We recommend putting lots of love into making this special dish (Alexa, play Frank Sinatra radio). This pasta salad is Dani’s go-to for most occasions … Day on the boat, back yard hang out, basically any day of the week – It compliments most meals and is a fan favorite!
We are wearing our favorite tie dye sets from Project Social T. We’ve become totally obsessed with their upscale lounge pieces during quarantine – the quality and cuteness is to DOLL for!
IMPORTANT! You must follow this recipe exactly – Some specific ingredients are crucial for taste.
Make the pasta salad at least one day prior to serving – For some reason sitting/settling overnight in the fridge is necessary for the magic to happen.
The Ingredients:
1 Pound of Pasta of your choice: We recommend any type of spiral pasta but basically any cut of pasta will do. We’ve never made this with spaghetti noodles or angle hair but if that’s what you like – Give it a go and let us know if it works (ha).
- 1 fresh Cucumber
- 1 jar or can of olives: Caitlin loves Kalmata olives and Dani loves sliced black olives
- 1 jar of Sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 can Hearts of psalm
- 1 package of fresh Basil
- 1 package of Salami: Your choice of what kind, we like to use a few different kinds in the same salad
- 1 fresh Red onion
- 1 package of fresh mozzarella: We like to use the little pearls (they look like little pebbles) and require no additional prep
- 2 packets of Good Seasons Zesty Italian (This is a crucial element for taste)
- (2) 1/4 cups Balsamic for the dressing
- (2) 1/2 cups of Olive oil for the dressing
- 1/2 of a jar chopped Pepporcini (Optional)
- 1 can of Garbanzo (Optional)
If you know that people at your gathering(s) aren’t fans of onions, olives or any of the other ingredients in the pasta salad, you can also offer these toppings on the side. Guys and Dolls can add as they please.
The Instructions:
- Boil enough water in a pot big enough for this amount/1 pound of pasta and use the right amount of water – Directions will be listed on the pasta
- It is important that when the pasta is finished cooking you strain it and run it under COLD water – You want it to stop cooking immediately
- While pasta is cooking prep all other ingredients: Starting with the dressing
- Follow the instructions on the Good Seasonings dressing
- You will make two batches of dressing – Set them aside at room temperature
- Chop your cucumber – We like to chop it into 4’s
- Chop your salami – We also like to chop it into 4’s
- Chop onion into thinly sliced diagonal corners (Cait how the fuck to I describe this)
- Remove hearts of psalm from the can and liquid and slice hearts of psalm into half inch circles
- We usually chop the sun-dried tomato into smaller chunks as well
- Strain the garbanzo beans
- Remove half of the pepperoncini from the liquid
- Strain the desired amount of olives you want to use: If it’s a can we use it all – If its a jar we usually use half the jar. Note: If you’re using kalamata olives you will have to remove the pit and cut into smaller pieces.
- In a large container or mixing bowl with a lid add the pasta first and all other ingredients one by one – Lastly, add one of the dressings you made and toss all ingredients so they are coated in the dressing and save the second one for when you serve the pasta.
- Save the basil for the next day to garnish on top of the Pasta Salad – Chop a healthy amount basil (as desired) the basil will be used to garnish before serving
- Seal the lid on the container or mixing bowl and store in the fridge over night
- Prior to serving the next day, toss the pasta salad ingredients and add the second batch of dressing.
The best part about this recipe is enjoying it with others. We encourage you to share it with your pandemic pal, your quarantine bubble, your family – basically the people you feel comfortable and safe with during this time. We promise that their is magic in this pasta! Guarantied to bring a smile, some sparkle, or even a giggle attach (in our case). Enjoy! {Chef’s kiss}
