Kris wrote;

> Good evening all,
>
> I have to bring a pasta salad to a group picnic, and am feeling a bit
> tired of my standby, pesto tortellini salad with chicken and grape
> tomatoes. (Hopefully this feeling will pass, as I love this salad).
> It made me wonder what other cooks make regularly...
>
> I'm a viniagrette dressing person, as opposed to mayo-based. I may
> make a lemon orzo salad, come to think of it. Or a peasant-style Greek
> salad with cucumber, tomato and red onion with feta.
>
> What do you guys like?


I like a vinaigrette dressing with some goat cheese added...or if you are
going Greek you could add some feta I guess. Some hearty stone - ground
mustard goes in the dressing, whirl it all up in a blender. I like stuff
like artichoke hearts, asparagus tips, sun - dried tomatoes, etc. For a bit
of texture contrast top with fried onions or garlic. For the onions you can
use the usual Durkee's, I buy my fried red onion and garlic at Asian stores,
these are used as a garnish on Viet dishes...they are also very cheap at the
Asian places.


--
Best
Greg