Pasta Salad- perfect to bring to BBQs!

La's famous pasta salad

Dressing (OK I have NO measurements for this, I just sort of eyeball it)

equal parts Balsalmic vinegar & Olive oil, maybe like 3/4 cup each??

a few shakes mixed Mediterranean herbs ( I use the stuff from whole foods that's meant for fish)

lots of black pepper

a few shakes sea salt

a whole bunch of shakes of crushed red pepper

maybe about 1/2 teaspoon chopped basil (fresh, dried, from a jar, whatevs)

In a little bowl, mix the above ingredients together, let the dressing sit while you prep the salad ingredients below


Salad Ingredients

1 pound whole wheat fusilli, cooked and cooled

1 package grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes, halved)

1/2 pound fresh mozzarella (I like to use the marinaded braid one, if the store has it) cut into 1/2" cubes

1 little can sliced black olives, drained

1 can artichoke hearts, drained and cut into little pieces

Sliced sauteed zucchini is good to put in there, too.

In a big bowl, mix together the salad ingredients and toss with the dressing. This tends to taste better the longer the pasta and stuff have to absorb the flavors from the dressing, so you might want to make it the night before, or earlier in the day. Do taste it, though, and make sure it doesn't need more salt or vinegar. I'm always adding more of those two things...