Pasta Salad Help - Please

[Anonymous]

I have to bring a non-dairy pasta salad to a party today. My "go to" pasta salad is caprese so I am grasping. My thought is to make a pasta salad with grape tomatoes, cooked asparagus and cooked mushrooms. Should I add any other vegetables? Also, I will season with olive oil and salt. Should I add any other oil or make a vinaigrette? Smitten Kitchen had a pasta salad with a red pepper vinaigrette that looked good but I didn't want to use just peas in the pasta salad. Could I use that? Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

[Anonymous]

Def add a vinaigrette.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Def add a vinaigrette.

Any ideas? I don't make a lot of vinaigrette's and don't want to use a store bought. Although I suppose I could if I could find a decent brand...

[Anonymous]

Op again. I found this recipe online and I think I will use it.

1/4 c. vinegar
1/2 c. oil
Salt
Sugar
Black pepper
Oregano
Basil

My only question is do they mean actual white vinegar like the type for cleaning? I swear that I do cook a lot. I just don't do vinaigrettes -- ever . TIA!

[Anonymous]

I usually use something lemon based. I would recommend looking up Ina Garten's orzo and roasted vegetable salad and using that kind of dressing. I believe it includes garlic, maybe some Dijon mustard, lemon juice and olive oil. A pea, asparagus and pesto salad would also be good. Very green, though

[Anonymous]

I would use white wine vinegar, or white balsamic vinegar.

[Anonymous]

Do a balsamic vinegar dressing. You can add chopped salami or pepperoni to the salad you have in mind, too, and it will be delicious. Or what about a sesame noodle salad with peanut dressing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op again. I found this recipe online and I think I will use it.

1/4 c. vinegar
1/2 c. oil
Salt
Sugar
Black pepper
Oregano
Basil

My only question is do they mean actual white vinegar like the type for cleaning? I swear that I do cook a lot. I just don't do vinaigrettes -- ever . TIA!

If they don't specify they probably do mean white vinegar, but my preference would be to switch it out for a champagne or white wine vinegar. Or red wine vinegar- you can wing it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op again. I found this recipe online and I think I will use it.

1/4 c. vinegar
1/2 c. oil
Salt
Sugar
Black pepper
Oregano
Basil

My only question is do they mean actual white vinegar like the type for cleaning? I swear that I do cook a lot. I just don't do vinaigrettes -- ever . TIA!

I would use red wine vinegar. Not plain white vinegar.

[Anonymous]

I've used white vinegar unless it specifies.

I don't use a vinaigrette though. I often just use bottled Italian dressing.