I certainly would love to see the sun and some warm weather. We went to our local greenhouses and were excited about all the color and varieties, however, with the rain and the cool weather, it doesn’t seem to be the right time to plant flowers or herbs, yet. I have high hopes that we will be seeing some sun soon. Maria wrote and told me she is getting ready for a couple of graduation parties with family and friends. She sent in this one for Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. We also recieved a recipe from Andy for Tortellini, Bacon and Broccoli Salad. Thank you to you both! Many of us love bacon, one of these may very well become a new favorite.
1 (12 ounce) package uncooked tri-color rotini pasta
10 slices bacon
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons dry ranch salad dressing mix
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper
1/2 cup milk, or as needed
1 large tomato, chopped
1 (4.25 ounce) can sliced black olives
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Directions: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Stir in rotini pasta and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until al dente; drain. Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until evenly brown. Drain and chop. In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and garlic pepper. Stir in milk until smooth. Place bacon, tomato, black olives and cheese in bowl and toss to coat with dressing. Cover and chill at least one hour in the refrigerator. Toss with a couple of tablespoons of milk if the salad seems a little dry.
2 (9 ounce) packages refrigerated three-cheese tortellini
1 pound bacon
4 cups chopped broccoli
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 cup bottled coleslaw dressing
Directions: Cook the tortellini according to the package directions, drain, rinse with cold water, and refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes. Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Chop the bacon into 1/2-inch pieces while still a little warm. Place the tortellini, bacon, broccoli, grape tomatoes, and green onions into a salad bowl. Pour the dressing over the ingredients, and toss lightly to coat. Chill in refrigerator before serving.
Have a great week and keep writing. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you with any suggestions or recipes you like. I can be reached at susieqcooking@ainop.com or c/o Pioneer Times, PO Box 456, Houlton, Maine 04730 See you next week! Susie Q.
