Saturday, August 2, 2008

Pasta Salad with Salami and Provolone

You may have noticed that I haven’t been around much this week. You didn’t? Oh, all right then. It’s just been a bit of a hectic week one way and another. I’ve been working on an article for a kid’s history magazine about the Black Death of 1347 – 1351. It’s taken some wrangling, as how do you write about the Bubonic Plague without making it too gruesome for the kiddywinks? I’ve also had to do some more work on my book, no more rejections this week. (Yippee!)

Thursday I had to go and renew my driver’s license. What a nightmare that was, and I still didn’t get my license. (Spit!) I’ll post about that on my other blog though.

Then there have been things needed doing around the house, which are always at the bottom of my to-do list, as you’ll notice if you ever visit, housework is not my forte. My office ought to carry a health warning.

And on top of all this, it’s been hotter than a camel’s crotch in the Sahara around here, and set to get even hotter next week. Roll on October.

And, of course, there are all those dinners to be made. I tried one of Pam’s recipes this week, Portobello and Havarti Burgers with Caramelized Onions. I’m so glad I did because they were delicious. Mick said he liked them better than beef burgers. High praise indeed if they trounced my Cheesy Dribblers off the menu. No photos though, we were too busy tucking in. If you want to try them yourselves you’ll find them at: http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/
Anyway, tonight I’m having a night off; we’re going to have a pizza that someone else has made, (hurray).

So, without further ado, on with the recipe.

Pasta Salad with Salami and Provolone




Ingredients:

8 ounces 3 color rotini pasta
1 beefsteak tomato, cut into chunks
½ cup red onion, chopped
½ red or green pepper, deseeded and chopped
12 black olives, halved
2 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
¼ lb. Genoa salami, cut into quarters
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
Black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
(Use Italian salad dressing instead of oil and vinegar, if you prefer)
2 tablespoons Parmesan, shredded (optional)


  • Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain into a colander, rinse with cold water and drain.
  • In a large salad bowl combine pasta with all other ingredients, drizzle with oil and vinegar and toss to coat.
  • Cover and chill in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Top with parmesan before serving, if you like.


14 comments:

nicole said...

I love a good, easy pasta salad espically with salami in it. Yum!
www.testkitchenrecipes.blogspot.com

Pam said...

omg that looks like a great summer meal. Keep us updated on the book project too! And I have NO idea how you would write about the plague for children. You should post a paragraph or two so we can see how you did it!

Paula said...

I'm so glad to hear that you've been writing, both on the, um, plague as well as your book! Good luck with the license. The last time I got mine renewed, I posed a smile for the picture when the clerk stops, turns to me as says in a sour tone,"Aren't you going to smile?" I quirk my face and respond, "What? I AM smiling." Right as I said that, she snaps the photo. So instead of having a regular smile, my face looks like I'm saying, "What?". My license is good for 8 years. Eight years of "What?" staring back at me. *sigh* Oh, I love your heat/camel analogy!

Save some of this salad for me! I love the combo of salami and rotini. I would enjoy eating this throughout the day. YUM!

Emily said...

Yum. That looks very Italian and delicious.

It IS hotter than a camel's crotch.

Maybe your story will be turned into an American Girl book.

Raquel said...

You are right Jan, about the heat! Camel, lizard, whatever, it is just plain HOT! We had 108 yesterday. Good luck on the book and that salad looks great! Much love - Raquel XO

Pam said...

Lovely! I love the idea of salami in a pasta salad.

Beth (jamandcream) said...

Our summer has been and gone I fear. It has rained for the last week - boo hoo!!

I love pasta salads and usually make a big one up and take to work for my lunch.

Would love to see the article on bubonic plague! You have an interesting life don't you Jan!!

Jennifer said...

Camel's crotch, LOVE IT and am stealing it too! Hubby has been asking about such a salad and I had no idea what to put in it! Thanks baby!

RecipeGirl said...

Looks like a yummy, easy-to-throw-together salad recipe for summer!

test it comm said...

This fresh pasta sounds really good! I like the use fresh tomatoes.

Jan said...

Hi Nicole, thanks for stopping by, I love new visitors.

Pam, thanks. I'm sorry, but I can't post about a work in progress. A lot of publishers consider it already published if it has appeared elsewhere, even on a blog, and so won't buy it.

Paula, thanks for your kind comments on my bog and my writing.

I did manage to get my license sorted out today. My picture is not good. Pretty gruesome, actually. :-(

Em, this heat is horrendous. I read your recent post and can utterly relate. It sounds like you are suffering in Missouri too.

Raquel, ditto what I said to Em. We Brits aren't designed for this heat, but it sounds like you aren't either. :-) Love and hugs.

Pam, thank you so much. But it was your portobello burgers that were the winner on this week's menu.

Beth, I'm sorry your summer has been so short lived, but believe me, you wouldn't want this heat.

Mmmm, I'm not sure a lot of people would find my life interesting. I spend a lot of time alone, and that is not to everyone's taste. But I like my own company, and I like writing, so I guess it suits me. Even if it is incredibly frustrating at times.

Cheryl, I'm glad you like my camel, take it, it's yours. :-)

I hope you and your hubby enjoy the salad.

Lori, thank you for stopping by, I hope you will drop in again.

Kevin, thank you so much.

Beth (jamandcream) said...

Peanut butter chips arrived. Thank-you so much. Now I just have to decide what to make with them.

I have your address now so I might just send you a suprise package if you don't let me know what you want!!

Chibog in Chief said...

oh my this is so yummy!! i love pasta salad!! and this one with salami is great ! cant wait to try :-)

Jan said...

Jan - That is such a lovely looking salad - Oooh I could eat the right now!

Ps You've been tagged for a Six Quirky Things meme.

PPS: Really sorry I haven't posted about the award you kindly gave me. I've been so busy but I will do it later today.