Green Goddess Pasta Salad Hot & Cold

The hardest thing about my shoulder surgery was not the pain but the fact that my left arm (I am indeed left handed) was in a sling and I have been able to do very little. Last week I had the go ahead to do things while I wore the sling. Pretty immobilizing -- as it should be -- which left me with very limited use. Still I was able to do light cleaning, laundry and folding -- not a great job, but better than nothing! I was given permission to take my arm out of the sling and move it from the elbow down. Yesterday I started physical therapy. My upper arm muscles and my shoulder/upper back muscles have already started to atrophy after just 2 weeks of no use. My arm is week and my range of motion is severely limited. For the next few weeks we will work on the range of motion and after that we will rebuild muscle strength. After just one day I have noticed a significant improvement. I am still supposed to be in my sling this week. I keep it on when I am out and about, but truth be told it has been off while I have been at home. Last night I tried my hand at cooking. Nothing fancy, just a simple pasta recipe. But I was cooking nonetheless and it felt fabulous!

Green Goddess Pasta Salad Hot & Cold is a nice way of saying we enjoyed this meal warm one night and cold the following night as leftovers! We waste so much food and I have decided to put a stop to it. Luckily everyone enjoyed this tremendously both last night and with slight additions, cold, today!

Warm Green Goddess Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
1 box small pasta (I used small shells)
1 red pepper, diced
1 orange pepper, diced
1 yellow pepper, diced
(Feel free to add 1 green pepper. My kids are not fond of it.)
1 can of olives, or container of kalamata olives
1 package of feta or goat cheese, crumbled
1 small bunch of scallions, sliced and ends trimmed off (about 8)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 can of garbanzo beans rinsed and drained
1/8 cup Trader Joe's Green Goddess Salad Dressing -- If you cannot get this use a good quality Greek Salad Dressing

(I am endorsing another packaged product... this stuff is amazing!!!)

Place pasta in a large pot and cook per directions on package.
While pasta is cooking cut veggies and set aside in a large mixing bowl. Add garlic, garbanzos, olives and salad dressing. Mix well so that the flavors have a chance to marry.

When the pasta is ready, remove from heat and drain. Return to pan. Add vegetable mixture and mix well. The feta will melt and blend in with the pasta and dressing. Serve immediately.

Green Goddess Pasta Salad Cold
This is more of a traditional pasta salad. Would be a great side dish to accompany any summer barbeque.

To the pasta add 1 small cucumber cubed
3-4 medium campari or plum tomatoes (If in season use garden grown of course!)
Add about 2 tbs of the Green Goddess Dressing and mix well.

Note: Freshly grilled vegetables would make a wonderful alternative to the raw veggies.