Pasta Salad

 When it comes to pasta salad you'll find that when it comes down to the nitty gritty it's actually rather simple to make.  Which can be a good thing, or if you overthink it, it can be a dish that can quickly have too much going on in it and it can go wrong.

So, here's a really simple pasta salad recipe for you to add your own things into and bonus is that the vinaigrette goes GREAT on regular salad as well.

Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound shaped pasta of choice, cooked to package directions
• 1/2 can black olives, drained
• Sharp cheese (amount depending on taste, I probably put in 1/4 cup of crumbles in mine)
• 1 recipe vinaigrette (recipe follows)

Procedure:

1.  Mix all ingredients in a bowl carefully to avoid breaking up pasta until pasta is well coated.

2.  Sprinkle dried basil on top.

3.  Serve.

Basic Vinaigrette 

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 1/2 tsp. cider vinegar (you could also use red wine vinegar or other vinegar for a different flavor)
• 1/4 tsp. ground mustard (or you can use 1 to 2 tsp. prepared mustard if you prefer)
• 1/4 tsp. dried basil
• 1/8 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
• Pinch of onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

1.  Mix all ingredients in a a salad dressing shaker or whisk together in a bowl.

Serve over salad of choice (or use as vinaigrette in pasta salad, obviously).