Monday, September 12, 2011

Spicy Pasta Salad with Smoked Gouda, Tomatoes, and Basil

Hello everyone! :) I had a post for the recipe done about a month ago and when I went to post it, bam, nothing. The blog froze. At the time, I didn't have the time to do it again, so here I am! :) This is a unique salad that uses ingredients i've never cooked with or used before, so I was excited to try it. I know this is going to surprise you all, but I got this recipe from The Pioneer Woman. Since it's garden vegetable season, this may be a new recipe for you to use for those fresh garden tomatoes and basil.
Enjoy!

::Spicy Pasta Salad with Smoked Gouda, Tomatoes, and Basil::

12 ounces, weight Mostaccioli
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/4 cup Whole Milk
4 Tablespoons White Vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoon Adobo Sauce From Chipotle Peppers (or One Minced Chipotle Pepper)
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Ground Black Pepper To Taste
10 ounces, weight Grape Tomatoes, Halved Lengthwise
1/2 pound Smoked Gouda Cheese, Cut Into Small Cubes
24 whole Basil Leaves (chiffonade)

(This is optional, but i added just a bit of garlic salt and onion salt) :)

Cook pasta until done. Drain and rinse in cold water until no longer hot. Set aside.
Mix mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, salt, pepper, and adobo in a small bowl.
In a large bowl, stir together pasta, dressing, halved tomatoes, and cubed Gouda. Taste for seasonings, adding more salt and pepper if needed, and even an extra teaspoons or two of vinegar if necessary. Stir in basil at the end. Refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.




Could find Mostaccioli when I was at Wal Mart, so the penne rigate was the closest looking item I could find. Who knows, maybe its just another name for mostacciloli?!


For the dressing...mayonaise of course.


Whole milk...


Distilled, white vinegar.


Chilpotle peppers in the suace...yum!


Ready for a little heat!


Adding the sauce.


And some salt.


Along with some pepper.


I also added a little garlic and onion salt...just a little! :)


Slice the tomatoes.


Chiffonade pretty much means to cut into strips.


I just made a little pile of the basil and then sliced


Onto the smoked gouda! Adds a good flavor!


Cut into chunks.


Mix those ingredients together...


Like so.


Then add the pasta.


And dressing! Yum!


The dressing will thicken a little as it sits in the fridge.
Enjoy!