This month's first Barefoot Blogger recipe was chosen by Cat of Delta Whiskey. It is from Barefoot Contessa's Family Style cookbook, and is a light, refreshing summer pasta salad. Pasta With Sundried Tomatoes is an easy, simple recipe. It can be made ahead of time (love that!), and can be served warm, cold or at room temperature. This recipe says it serves 6 - 8, but in my opinion, it could easily serve a dozen or more, people as a side dish. This would be the perfect side dish to bring to a BBQ or picnic. You can find the recipe here, at Food Network's website.
Here is the dressing before adding it to the pasta. You just know this is a flavorful dressing by looking at it!
Look at the huge amount of pasta salad this makes! This is my pasta pot! This photo was taken before I added in the fresh basil and Parmesan, because Ina said to add those ingredients just before serving.
I seasoned the final salad with a bit of extra kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to really bring out the flavors of everything.
Some options for this dish: add some Italian seasoned grilled chicken breast to make it a more complete meal; substitute feta for the mozzarella and/ or add some grilled shrimp to the dish. This dish was yummy, filling, inexpensive, easy to make, pleasing to the eye and I will definitely be making it again!
It does make a lot but it goes quickly. I just wiped out my bowl of it just looking at everyone else's posts!