It's all Greek to me! (Pasta Salad)

We love all things Greek salad. We eat Greek Salad a couple times a month and we have even made Greek Salad Pizza (see sidebar for recipe) -- which was delish!

The other day I needed something that was filling, quick and easy. I didn't have much food in the house and it was one of those days where the thought of getting to the grocery store seemed an insurmountable task! So I did what I do best and raided my pantry! I always have pasta, olives and chick peas. I happened to have some Feta in the refrigerator. In short, I had everything I needed to make a warm and delicious Greek Pasta Salad. The great thing about pasta salads is that I can usually get two meals out of them. This one was excellent hot and cold. It's great on its own, or makes a nice side salad paired with chicken, steak or fish.

This could not be any easier to make!

Ingredients:
1 lb pasta - any shape
1 jar of artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed and cut into small pieces
1 can of chick peas, drained and rinsed
1 can of small or medium black olives OR
1+ cup of Kalamata olives
1/2 cup of sliced pepperoncini (optional)
1/2 cup of sliced scallions
1 cup of crumbled Feta cheese
1 small package of frozen spinach, cooked and drained  -- optional. (I added this for the health benefits)

Directions:
Cook pasta per directions, drain, return to pot adding 1 tsp of olive oil to keep pasta from sticking together
Add Feta, chick peas, peppers, scallions, olives, artichoke hearts and spinach, mix well over low heat

Add about 1/2 cup of Greek Dressing:

1/4 cup of olive oil
3 - 4 tbs of red wine vinegar OR the juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp of oregano
1/2 tsp Kosher or sea salt

Whisk until the dressing is emulsified and pour over the pasta immediately!
(If you want to use a bottled variety I like Ken's and Yassou -- you want an oil based dressing and not a creamy one.)

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.