There is still a whole month of summer left and, depending on where you live, you might have a lot more balmy weather to look forward to. This means you may still have quite a few cookouts to host or to attend. Our family had two scheduled for this past weekend alone. It is times like this when it is handy to have a few go-to recipes that are easy to double or triple, depending on how many guests there will be.
One of my favorite non-dessert foods to take to a cookout is pasta salad. It is so easy to make and is a crowd-pleaser. Here is a pasta salad recipe that Jodi of Mom's Favorite Stuff and I came up with that we think will appeal to the masses, including children. We did this in conjunction with a team of Boston-area bloggers for the Lawry's "A Fabulous Summer of Flavor" Contest, which included Jodi, Niri of Mommy Niri, Kim of Mommycosm, Charlene of Charlene Chronicles, Sarah of In the Trenches of Mommyhood, and myself. Read on to see the delicious appetizer and grilled entree the rest of the team created using Lawry's Marinades and Seasoned Salt, both of which can easily be scaled up or down to feed just your own family or several families.
Recipe: Savory Whole Grain Pasta Salad
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 box (approximately 7oz) of whole grain penne pasta
1/2 box (approximately 7oz) of whole grain rotini pasta
4 to 6 whole white mushrooms
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
4oz Mozzarella cheese, cubed
2.25oz can of sliced black olives
5 or more bacon slices, cooked
Recipe: Savory Salad Dressing
INGREDIENTS:
13 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 tsp Lawry's Seasoned Salt
4 Tbsp red wine vinegar
4 tsp mustard powder
Step 1. Boil pasta according to package instructions. Rinse thoroughly in cold water and drain well.
Step 2. Wash peppers and mushrooms.
Step 3. Chop peppers, mushrooms, and previously cooked bacon into small bite size pieces.
Step 4. In a large pasta or salad serving bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cubed Mozzarella cheese, peppers, mushrooms, and bacon.
Step 5. Drain olives. Then add to contents of serving bowl.
(Click any image to enlarge)
Step 6. Combine all the ingredients for the dressing and mix well.
Step 7. Pour the dressing over the contents of the bowl. Toss until well blended.
Step 8. Cover bowl and put in refrigerator to chill for at least a half an hour prior to serving.
Serve this pasta salad as a side dish or as a light meal with fresh rolls. This recipe yields approximately 12 generous side dish servings.
Overall, this pasta salad recipe was a hit with my family. The best thing about this recipe is that you can adjust it to your family's tastes by using less seasoned salt, more bacon, less olives, etc . . .
As promised, here are two more "A Fabulous Summer of Flavor" recipes . . .
"Spicy Veggie Puffs"
Recipe can be found on Mommy Niri and on Charlene Chronicles
(Photo Credit: Jodi Grundig)
"Tango Rub"
Recipe can be found on In the Trenches of Mommyhood and on Mommycosm
(Photo Credit: Jodi Grundig)
For more great grilling tips and recipes, visit Lawrys.com and Lawry's on Facebook.
This article was written as part of a paid campaign for TheMotherhood on behalf of Lawry's, who provided product samples to use in these recipes, as well as additional product for our contest prize.
What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a Lawry's Prize Pack (includes a 16oz Seasoned Salt, the Balsamic Herb Marinade, and the Seasoned Salt Marinade).
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.
This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.
How to Gain Entries:
Leave a comment telling me your favorite dish to bring to a cookout. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.
Extra Entries:
1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.
2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.
2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.
3) For 10 extra entries, sign up to receive the Lawry's Newsletter (red box above right sidebar). Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did.
4) For 1 extra entry, "Like" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here with the link to your Facebook profile.
5) For 1 extra entry, "Like" Lawry's on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook profile.
6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.
7) Tweet about this giveaway using the hashtag #Lawrys AND linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.
8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
9) Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)
Random Drawing:
Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, August 22nd, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.
Good luck in the drawing!
