Pioneer woman's pasta salad

16 ounces penne pasta
1/2 cup mayonnaise (I used light mayonnaise)
1/4 cup milk
2 to 3 tablespoons white vinegar
2 to 3 teaspoons adobo sauce (from canned chipotle peppers)
1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste
Black pepper
3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 pound smoked Gouda cheese
24 basil leaves, shredded

Cook pasta, drain, rinse with cool water, and set aside. Combine the mayonnaise and milk in a medium bowl Then add 2 tablespoon of the vinegar and stir. Add adobo sauce, salt  and pepper Stir and taste adjust seasoning (I added more adobo sauce, careful because it is hot). Combine pasta, tomatoes, basil, cheese and dressing Chill. for at least 2 hours.

You can add different chesses like mozzarella, I added smoked provolone. cucumbers, corn, chicken and beans were other variations on similar recipes.

Chili-Garlic Roasted Broccoli

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
5-6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 tablespoon grill seasoning blend (Montreal Steak Seasoning)
1 large head garlic, cut into thin, long spears
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Place olive oil, garlic chili powder and grill seasoning in the bottom of a large bowl and ad the broccoli spears. Toss to coat broccoli evenly then transfer to a large nonstick baking sheet. Roast the broccoli until ends are crisp and brown an stalks are tender, 17 to 20 min.

Marinade for Chicken

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons finely minced fresh parsley


This makes a lot...feel free to cut recipe down.


Mix all ingredients together and pour over chicken. The longer you marinate, the more flavor the chicken will have.  Bake or grill chicken.

Cucumber Sandwiches

From Laurie Clegg

Slice:
2 baguettes
4 cucumbers

Mix together:
8oz cream cheese
8oz mayo
1pkg dry Italian dressing mix

Top baguette slices with cream mix, a cucumber slice, and garnish with dill.