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Addictive Pasta Salad

1 - one pound box of sea shell pasta, cooked (try to find large shells, if not go medium)
6 zesty dill pickle spears #4 (if can't find use straight up dill pickle spears)
1 bunch of green onions - use white and green parts
6 hard boiled eggs (if you don't feel like boiling eggs buy them already cooked)
mayo - I use Hellman's
yellow mustard
salt and pepper

Mix above ingredients together.  I cut the pickle spears in half lengthwise and then chop into the smaller pieces.  I like to combine the first 4 ingredients before I start adding the rest.  Don't over mayo.  Just a little mustard.  Then salt and pepper to your liking.  You can use extra eggs and pickles as well.

This pasta salad has such a nice mix of flavors.  It's one that I can't ever have only one helping of.  Hope you enjoy it at your next Summer gathering!  Let me know if you try it!

Lemonade
1 cup sugar
1 cup lemon juice (fresh squeeze or use Real Lemon)
6 1/2 cups water

This tastes so fresh and good.  Easy to put together.  And a nice addition to cocktail making too!  I'm not one for drinking additional calories, but this lemonade is worth every sip.


Blockprint Bamboo Melamine Servers - $9.00 deal!!!

Target Opalhouse Plastic Pitcher - Sold Out

Waterfall Glass - I have the tumblers which are sold out, but really the wine glass shape is all around so useful.

Blue Stripe Dish Towels - My dish towels that I use as napkins were scored at a yard sale, but this set on Amazon has that same vintage look.  At about $1 each it's a very easy way to add a lot of style to your table.  They also come in Green and Red stripe.

White Bowl - I love my nature inspired bowls in simply white.  They have a faux bois type pattern.

Rose Gold Flatware

Because it seems the most creative thing I have been doing lately is cooking here is another favorite recipe of mine.  My friend Michelle made it for a gathering at my house a few years back.  The flavors work together so well.  It has a nice and simple sweetness to it.  I just took this orzo to a pig roast and those who tasted it really loved it.  If you look with your eyes you just might pass it by, but really this is a keeper kind of recipe.



Orzo With Mandarin Oranges And Candied Sliced Almonds

1 box orzo (I used Barilla)
3 celery stalks, chopped into small pieces
3 bunches of green onion (white part only) chopped into small pieces
(I used some of the green as well)
2 large cans mandarin oranges, drained

Mix all of the above ingredients together.

For dressing combine the following:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
parsley flakes for color
dash of pepper

Add dressing to salad.  Put in fridge.  It is best to make this orzo the night before or early in the day you will be serving it.

To make the almonds:
 1 larger bag of sliced almonds (about 1 1/2 cups)
3/4 cups sugar

Put almonds and sugar in pan and cook on medium until sugar melts.  Stir constantly or the almonds will burn.  And trust me they burn quick:)  Next, place the almonds on wax paper to cool.  Once fully cooled, break into pieces and store in a Ziplock bag until you serve the salad.  Right before serving stir in the almonds.  If you mix them in too soon they wont stay crunchy - which is partly why they taste so good in this salad.


Hope you enjoy!