Picnic Salads

We were asked to two Fourth of July "dos" today

One afternoon

and

one evening

"Please bring a salad" 

each hostess said

To the first

I brought 

Pepper Slaw

The recipe found, not in a cookbook but in an email

from a friend who we correspond with on email

Who we're going to cruise with come fall

I changed the name, however

for I call it

"Slaw with Attitude"

It's a spicy, sassy cabbage salad

Everyone at the lunch seemed to like it!

Thanks, Bart!!!

PEPPER SLAW

(or Slaw with Attitude)

1 cabbage, shredded

2 Poblano peppers, juliened

2 T. celery seeds

Dressing:

1 cup water

1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2 c. sugar

Mix cabbage and peppers in a bowl.     Put water, vinegar and sugar in a saucepan.   Heat until sugar is dissolved.    Pour over cabbage/pepper mixture.     Add celery seeds.     

And to the second . . 

Pasta Salad

A wonderful salad of pasta and vegetables in a garlic scented oil

Perfect  for a summer picnic!

Plus it makes a ton!

Which is always good when you have to take a dish.

PASTA SALAD

1 pound corkscrew pasta

1/2 t. tortellini with cheese

1/2 cup plus 1 T. olive oil

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 bunch broccoli, in small flowerettes

2 medium zucchini, sliced and quartered

1 1/2 c. snow peas (or 2 packages frozen)

2 sweet red peppers, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 6 oz. can pitted black olives

1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

1 C. Parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 c. Romano cheese, grated

freshly ground pepper

Cook the pasta according to package instructions.    Drain and put in a large bowl.    Pour oil into saucepan, add garlic and cook slowly till garlic is light brown.    Set aside to cool.    Lightly blanch broccoli, zucchini and snow peas -- refresh in cold water and set aside.

Toss the pasta with the garlic oil -- add rest of ingredients and toss very gently.     Serve.   (Serves 15 or more!)

Both of these are wonderful

as a make and take salad

when you have to bring something to a dinner

Of the two, Husband Jim favored the slaw 

but then he likes things that are spicy.

It's Friday and I'm joining Michael at Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday.