Pasta salda - how do you make yours and do you add a dressing?

[bumbling]

Never made it, can't think why not given I make noodle salad with leftover noodles. Have the pasta ready to go for tonight's supper solo and would love some help! So far the pasta was tossed in alittle olive oil to stop it sticking, but do I need to add preper dressing or what?!

what's pasta salda?

Salad!!!

I add lots of veg, anything really, cucumber, tomato, sweetcorn, peas, chicken, spring onions, olives, peppers, and then toss with mayonaise, olive oil, lemon juice and a pinch of curry powder.

pasta salad!!

I cook pasta, add loads of raw veg and mayo!

Delish!

DH doesnt put mayo on his but likes olive oil and a little balsamic vinegar.

you need some kind of dressing. Without it it will be horribly dry and unpalatable.

or yoghurt and mayo with garlic and chives would be nice

or honey and mustard would also work well

Same as OMDB really, I chop up and chuck in whatever veg I've got lying around, then toss with olive oil/vinegar/black pepper/herbs. Quite often throw in jar stuff as well, like capers or those little pickled pepper things.

oh god yes, throw in some capers, anchovies, and chopped sun dreid tomatoes and mozarella with basil and thyme for a lovely mediteranian salad!

tell us what you're adding to the pasta and I'll tell you the best dressing to add to that combination of ingredients.

Oh the shame, PASTA SALAD - sorry ladies and huge thanks for replying despite ineptitude. Hadn't considered yog or mayo for a minute. Am I right in thinking some people use pesto and if so would you add pesto to mayo/yog or a drop of lemon juice?

personally I wouldn't use pesto, but then I don't care for it that much.

If it's your thing though, add it, but not with yoghurt or mayo, instead stick to some extra olive oil.

Ok, in the fridge I have, mozarella, haloumi, cherry toms, cucumber, spring onions, green beans, peppers and chicken. Also have jars of peppers and artichokes in oil. Must admit I'm not keen on anchovies but DH loves, loves loves them so will use them for a version for him and persuade him to eat healthily!

Also have mayo, yog, balsamic, plain cider vinegar, lemon juice, pesto, fresh basil and thyme.

Does anyone ever do an oriental thing with pasta have sesame seed oil and various bits and bobs too.

yep you can do an oriental thing with a drop of sesame oil and soy sauce, like a cold noodle salad.

But with your list of ingredients I'd say go with a mediteranian feel. Fry the haloumi up in little chunks (no need for oil in the pan, just add the cheese so they crisp up), and add the tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions, cooked beans, pepper and chicken and the artichokes. Add a few chopped anchovies to DH's.

make a dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, a teeny bit of balsamic, the chopped herbs, a crushed clove of garlic. The pesto may overpower it a bit too much and take away the clean fresh taste with all the parmesan.

or, alternatively, leave out the cheese and artichokes and go for a mayo dressing: mayo, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, crushed garlic, yoghurt and a pinch (teeny tiny pinch) or curry powder. I promise it really works without making it taste Indian or anything. Complements the chicken hugely.

god I'm hungry now

Oh god, Overmy, me too. Thanks so much or that. Looks perfect! Am frightened by the curry powder but feel confident in your obvious culinary abilities so will brave it!

Thanks hugely.

no problem!

Let us know what you choose in the end and how it goes!

Should have followed your recipe exactly, upshot was fine but not stunning! Did cherry toms, tons of basil, spring onions, peppers in oil, diced cucumber and chicken. Balsamic and lemon juice tons of pepper, salt and parmesa shavings plus oil from peppers.

To the mayo and curry powder next time - I will not deter from finding the perfect version of such an easy healthy supper/lunch!

Thanks to all page marked and I@ll work through them!