Make Me A Meal: Caprese Pasta Salad

Happy Monday!

 

We had our first (of many) pool parties at my parent's house this past weekend.

 

I offered to bring pasta salad as my contribution.  I have made this before, but didn't remember it being this good!

 

It's a different twist than your typical pasta salad, but so fresh (and easy)!

 

1 package of 9 oz Whole Wheat Tortellini

1 container of Mozzarella Cheese Balls

Handful of Fresh Basil

1 package of Cherry Tomatoes

Balsamic Glaze

 

Dressing

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/4 cup White Vinegar

1 Tablespoon of Mrs. Dash Italian Seasoning

1/2 Tablespoon of Garlic Powder

1/4 tsp of salt

 

Make dressing up and allow to sit for at least an hour.

 

Cook pasta according to package (7-10 minutes).  Slice mozzarella balls in fourths.

Cut tomatoes into fourths.

Slice fresh basil.

Toss the pasta with the dressing.

Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the bowl of pasta.

 

And Enjoy!

 

Top 2 Tuesdays - Favorite Summer Recipes

Today's topic for T2T is your favorite summer recipes...

Guacamole!

image
I absolutely love it! i could honestly eat it as a meal!

2 avocados
1 fresh squeezed lime
1 small red onion
3 tablespoons of fresh chopped cilantro
1 clove of garlic
1 shot of tequila [my not so secret ingredient anymore]
salt and pepper to taste

My other favorite summer dish is a
Mediterranean Pasta Salad

1 box of whole wheat pasta
1 small zucchini
1 cup of feta
1 cup of kalmalta olives
1 cup of roasted pine nuts
balsamic vingerette (start with a tablespoon and you can always add more)
salt and pepper to taste

remember to watch your pine nuts when you are toasting them - they will burn quickly!

and serve

And just because some days I can't just stick to 2 of my favorites
i decided to bend the rules a little bit again..
so with that being said...

i also love my white sangria recipe

1 box of dry white wine (i know - keeping it classy! but trust me a few ingredients and its delish!)
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 tablespoons of cinnamon
1 cup of sprite
2 shots of captain morgan
any fruit (for the summer I use berries)

mix the one cup of water and one cup of sugar to make a simple sugar
and then add the cinnamon

pour the simple syrup into the container with the wine and let marinate

right before serving, add sprite, berries and captain morgan
(trial by error made me realize that if you add the berries too soon they loose their color
and don't look as pretty)

and then I make berry ice cubes so when the ice melts
you have berries in your glass
**please use your imagination - I totally forgot to take a picture of the canister of sangria and a glass of the wine - its so pretty and festive!**

I can't wait to link up to Taylor's blog and see what other bloggers have as their favorite summer dishes!