Rotini with Lime Vinaigrette

Craving those southwest flavors... here is the cure...

• 1 box tri-color rotini
• 1 small fine diced onion
• 2 Roma tomatoes chopped and seeded
• 1 can of black bean, drained and rinsed
• 1 can of white hominy, drained and rinsed
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 2 chipotles in adobe finely diced
• 2 avocados chopped
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 olive oil
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 cup packed cilantro
• salt and pepper

Cook pasta aldente, drain and cool.  Combine pasta, onion, tomato, beans, hominy, garlic, chipotles and avocado and toss.

Lime vinaigrette:
 
In food processor or blender, puree lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, honey, cilantro and salt and pepper to taste.

Toss pasta mixture with vinaigrette and chill for at least 1 hour.

Italian Pasta Salad

So with the Forth of July upon us, I am again busy making salads for our big party down by the river.  I thought I would share this one with you...

• 1 box of penne pasta
• 3 Roma tomatoes seeded and chopped
• 1 cup chopped English cucumbers
• 1 small sweet or red onion diced fine
• 1clove garlic mince
• 1/2 cup chopped black olives
• 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella diced
• 2 Tbs fresh chopped flat leaf parsley
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 cup Italian dressing

Cook pasta aldente in salted water.  Combine all ingredients together and toss. Chill for at least one hour or overnight.  The longer this pasta sits the more the better it taste!