Mike’s Hot Spicy Food Recipes

Use your Noodle

Use Your Noodle: 5 Steps for the Perfect Pasta Salad

  Follow our handy formula to make your ideal pasta salad.

Step 1: Pick a Pasta

Cook 1 lb in boiling, salted water; drain and toss with olive oil.

  • Campanelle
  • Farfalle
  • Fusilli
  • Macaroni
  • Orecchiette
  • Penne

Step 2: Pick Veggies

Choose up to 3; use 1½ cups total.

  • Sliced bell pepper
  • Cooked broccoli florets
  • Shredded carrot
  • Diced celery
  • Corn kernels
  • Peeled, diced cucumber
  • Cooked edamame
  • Chopped cooked green beans
  • Cooked green peas

Step 3: Pick a Protein

Choose 1; use 1 cup, chilled.

  • Cannellini beans or chickpeas (drained and rinsed if canned)
  • Chopped cooked chicken or turkey
  • Diced hard-boiled egg
  • Diced cooked ham Chopped cooked shrimp
  • Sliced cooked steak
  • Flaked canned tuna

Step 4: Pick a Flavor Booster

Choose up to 3; use 3 Tbsp to ¼ cup each.

  • Toasted almonds
  • Artichoke hearts
  • Torn basil leaves
  • Pitted black olives
  • Capers, drained
  • Chopped chives
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Crumbled feta cheese
  • Chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • Grated Parmesan
  • Pickled onions
  • Toasted pine nuts
  • Diced preserved lemon
  • Pumpkin seeds

Step 5: Pick a Dressing

Toss dressing with all other ingredients. Season salad with salt and freshly ground pepper, then chill or serve right away.

Creamy Buttermilk

Whisk together ¾ cup mayonnaise, ¹⁄³ cup buttermilk, ½ tsp granulated garlic, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper, and 1 Tbsp finely chopped parsley.

Creamy Dijon

Whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 tsp honey, 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper.

Herb Vinaigrette

Whisk together ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup white wine vinegar, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper, 1 Tbsp chopped basil, 1 Tbsp chopped parsley, and 1 Tbsp chopped scallion.

 
Friends don’t let friends buy spices at American grocery stores!

Mike’s Hot Spicy Food Recipes