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Original poster

pasta salad ideas?

30 replies

TooTiredToday · 13/09/2008 06:18

Help! I've been signed up to make a pasta salad tomorrow and have no idea what to put in it (apart from the pasta...)
I've never found a pasta salad that I like and am panicking.

OP posts:
SuperBunny · 13/09/2008 06:39

I do one with cooked green beans and mayo. I usually add onions and/ or garlic, Parmesan and lots of black pepper.

Olives & cherry tomatoes with oil & vinegar dressing? Maybe feta too

Don't know any others. I'm not keen on cold pasta.

suzywong · 13/09/2008 07:39

what kind of meal is it for and how many will it serve?

I am with SuperBunny on cold pasta but we can help you make it palatable

WelliesAndPyjamas · 13/09/2008 07:41

chicken, cherry toms, onion mmmmmmmmmmm
or garlic sausage
I'm now in the mood for a pasta salad

Anna8888 · 13/09/2008 07:44

Diced seeded tomatoes
A little garlic, chopped with a mezzaluna
A little chilli, chopped with a mezzaluna
Good olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Leave to marinate for an hour

Stir into just cooked al dente pasta as late as possible before serving, with lots of mezzaluna vaguely-chopped rocket.

Anna8888 · 13/09/2008 07:45

I would use orecchiette or penne, btw

cheekysealion · 13/09/2008 07:49

i would just add red onion, peppers, cucumber
olive oil

suzywong · 13/09/2008 07:52

nice one Anna

I'm sure there are a lot of people with good pasta salad recipes, I just associate it with my sister's squishy tricolour pasta spirals, 1000 island dressing and grated red leicester and carrots.

But that was in 1989

Anna8888 · 13/09/2008 07:56

I agree Suzy Wong, pasta salad generally has terrible associations .

I think my recipe is quite nice on a very hot day on a buffet under an olive apple tree - wooden tables, red and white checked cloths etc

FairLadyRantALot · 13/09/2008 07:57

what is mezzaluna?

How about adding Tuna, Sweetcorn, coked Peas(or tinned peas), Sprngonion and that a dressing made from 1/2 natural Yoghurt and 1/2 Mayonaise with pepper and salt...

Or instead of Tuna add some small cheddar cubes, and slices of Ham

FairLadyRantALot · 13/09/2008 07:57

what is mezzaluna?

How about adding Tuna, Sweetcorn, coked Peas(or tinned peas), Sprngonion and that a dressing made from 1/2 natural Yoghurt and 1/2 Mayonaise with pepper and salt...

Or instead of Tuna add some small cheddar cubes, and slices of Ham

suzywong · 13/09/2008 08:00

Robert De Niro at one end of the table, Al Pacino at the other ... ......

Anna8888 · 13/09/2008 08:00

A mezzaluna is a sort of knife - a half moon shaped one with handles at either end.

mamado · 13/09/2008 08:01

sunblush toms, normal toms, basil, peppers, shallot, olives, parmesan and balsamic dressing...Yum

btw, its very very nice made with filled pasta as long as you don't overcook it...imo its a mamado recipe!

SuperBunny · 13/09/2008 08:01

lol @ coked peas

Anna8888 · 13/09/2008 08:02

Yup, Claudia Cardinale (aged 23) perched on a branch and batting her eyelashes and tossing her hair over her bare shoulders...

Anna8888 · 13/09/2008 08:04
suzywong · 13/09/2008 08:05

no, sorry I have a brace of boys

suzywong · 13/09/2008 08:07

who just neck handfuls of crisps and jam rolls IME

I also think and I am prepared to be flamed, that kids under 10 care not what they eat at parties, if you want to push the boat out do something themed for the adults. I did an English afternoon tea with scones and cucumber sandwiches at ds2s 5th bday party al fresco last weekend. It kept me happy

Anna8888 · 13/09/2008 08:07

It's so difficult here in Paris - standards of food are so high... and I really object to getting caterers in for a 4 year old party...

Anna8888 · 13/09/2008 08:09

My sister has done the English tea thing before for her children's birthdays - mini-scones, strawberries, teeny-tiny pots of home-made lemon curd...

Not sure that French children can cope with that tbh. And they do care about the food, unfortunately.

suzywong · 13/09/2008 08:09

yes, I heard that few people actually bake themselves at home because the Patisserie on the corner can beat you hands down.

You're English, are you?
Do a cream tea like I did, I was sharing my Culture with my Australian friends.

suzywong · 13/09/2008 08:10

oh, french kids do care do they?

Ummm, well then go for a different form over a different content

triangular sandwiches and mini everything on nice plates. Dollies' tea party kind of thing?

Anna8888 · 13/09/2008 08:11

Yes, people don't really bake. And I'm out of practice and people don't appreciate typical English home-baking here...

I make puddings quite a lot - the sort you can't buy - but cakes tend to be bought.

Anna8888 · 13/09/2008 08:12

Ooh dollies/bears tea party is a very good idea with super mini food...

I have that Ikea white mini china and tea cups - loads of it.

suzywong · 13/09/2008 08:13

there you go, sorted

please don't put canned tuna and sweetcorn in a pasta salad

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