Well we had our first real driveway party for 2009 last night -- it was pretty chilly but the firepit and the kahlua and coffee warmed things up quite nicely- everyone brought tasty "warm food" - totilla soup, taco soup, mostacolli with sweet italian sausage, ham and beans (with cornbread of course), mac and cheese, jambalaya, pasta salad, yummy dump cake and gooey brownies for dessert. Despite the cool night we had a great time and managed to brave the cool temps 'til about 10 - hopefully, by our next party, the weather will be much nicer! start thinking about what we will have for that one -
Per your request:
Caprese pasta salad – sort of
Bowtie, penne, or cavatelli- cook as per directions in boiling salted water with a little olive oil
Rinse and drain well -
Chop sun dried tomatoes (mine were in olive oil with basil and garlic)
Steamed asparagus cut in sections
Fresh mozzarella cheese – chopped or chunks
Fresh parmigiano/ reggiano shreds
Fresh basil – chiffonade cut
Cocktail/grape tomatoes – leave whole or halved
Minced garlic – to taste
Kosher salt, pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes to taste -optional
Dress with Balsamic/olive oil vinaigrette roughly 2 parts olive oil to 1 part balsamic or buy bottle mix
Mix all together- make at least an hour before you want to serve to let flavors blend -
Chill a couple of hours - Best served at room temp
Optional Add ins:
Grilled chicken
Olives;
Shrimp/scallops
Roasted pepper strips;
Scallions – tops too
Bread cubes
Variation—grill assorted fresh veggies: asparagus, baby eggplant, onion, peppers, tomatoes(seeded)toss with pasta and cheeses and add olive oil/balsamic vinaigrette
