Summer salads—Break out the pasta!

Mix up a batch of Savory Salad Starter using our recipe here to give all your summer salads that one-of-a-kind tangy taste.

Savory Salad Starter
1/4 cup good quality olive oil
2 tablespoons finely minced red onion
1 tablespoon chopped chives
1 tablespoon thyme leaves
1 tablespoon chopped oregano leaves
Juice of one lemon
Sea salt and pepper to taste

In a small pitcher, mix all ingredients and stir. Place in bottom of a large serving bowl and build pasta salad on top.

One of the great things about pasta salad in the summer is that you can cook it the night before or in the cool of the morning and then just toss it with the other ingredients before eating.

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Mexican Twist Corkscrew Salad

Add some spice to your meal with this unique south-of-the-border creation.

1 box spiral pasta, cooked al dente, cooled
1 recipe Savory Salad Starter
1 cup pre‑made guacamole
1 cup parmesean cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped pistachios
Sea salt to taste
Fresh sprigs of thyme

In a large mixing bowl, place salad starter, pasta, guacamole, and the rest of the ingredients. Toss well to coat and refrigerate several hours. Serve with grilled meats and fish.

Tip: Take this to your next pot luck to put
some zing into the same old ho-hum salads
and casseroles your friends bring.

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Ricotta Ravioli Salad

Hearty, delicious, and gorgeous to look at this salad is truly filling. Serve it for lunch with thick hunks of Italian bread on the side.

Want this delicious recipe? Send me an e-mail with your feedback on the site and I'll send you my favorite summer salad recipe. Hope to hear from you... mgmeadinc@aol.com.

Tip: Make extra to take along to
work for a quick lunch break.

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Pasta, Peas, and Prawns Salad

Pick up some Chinese takeout boxes at the craft store and fill them with individual servings of this yummy salad. Just right for a picnic in the park or on the front porch.

1 box Farfalle, cooked al dente and cooled
1 recipe Savory Salad starter
1 cup real mayonaise
3 cups fresh large shrimp, cooked, shelled, and deveined
2 cups frozen peas, thawed
Additional sea salt to taste

In a large mixing bowl place salad starter, pasta, and rest of ingredients. Toss to thoroughly coat all ingredients. Spread on a large chilled platter and serve.

Tip: Make this salad early in the day to let the flavors meld for several hours for optimum flavor. Don’t like shrimp? Substitute grilled chicken instead.

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