Recipe pasta salad

Recipe pasta salad:

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

1. 8 oz (about 2 cups) pasta (penne, rotini, fusilli, or your choice)
2. 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3. 1 cup cucumber, diced
4. 1/2 cup bell peppers (red, green, or yellow), diced
5. 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
6. 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
7. 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
8. 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
9. Optional: 1/4 cup roasted pine nuts or chopped nuts of your choice

For the Dressing:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it cool completely.
2. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Set aside.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced bell peppers, chopped red onion, sliced black olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Toss gently to mix everything together.
4. Add Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss the salad gently to coat all the ingredients with the dressing.
5. Garnish: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the salad. If using roasted pine nuts or chopped nuts, add them now.
6. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1-2 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill.
7. Serve: Before serving, give the pasta salad a final toss to redistribute the dressing. You can garnish with extra feta cheese, parsley, and nuts if desired.
8. Enjoy: Serve the pasta salad as a side dish or a light meal on its own. It's great for picnics, potlucks, and barbecues!

Feel free to customize the ingredients based on your preferences. You can add other vegetables, proteins (such as grilled chicken or shrimp), or herbs to make it your own unique creation.