Italian Pasta Salad

Serves about 8 – 10

Boil 450 gr of Fusilli according to package directions

Drain, and rinse under cold running water. Run the pot also under cold running water, to chill. Return the pasta to the pot, and cover with cold water for a few minutes, swirling the pasta a couple of times to ensure there are no “warm spots”. After a few minutes in the cold water, drain the pasta again (let it sit in the strainer for a few minutes, to drain well, and then give it a shake).

Place the drained pasta into a large Ziploc, or bowl. Drizzle with enough olive oil to coat, stirring well (this keeps the pasta from clumping together in the fridge).

Refrigerate, at least several hours, to overnight.

Separately, chop:

1/2 a bunch of washed green onions, right down to the white part

1/2 of a (300gr) jar of sliced roasted sweet red peppers

1/2 a small package (170gr) of sugar snap peas, cut diagonally into thirds

1/2 a small pack of grape tomatoes, halved

* 1 package (250gr) of fully cooked grilled chicken strips, cut into bite size pieces

1 ball of soft, fresh Mozzarella, packed in water, drained & cut into bite sizes

1 package of fresh basil leaves, chopped fine (you want the equivalent of at least 12 large leaves)

Dried parsley

To assemble:

Put the chilled pasta into a very large bowl.

Shake well, and add 1/4 of a (375gr) bottle of PC Basil Parmesan salad dressing. Stir to coat.

Add all of the above ingredients, and sprinkle with a good amount of black pepper (I find it does not need salt).

Shake well, and add about 1/2 of a (375gr) bottle of Kraft Zesty Italian salad dressing

Stir to combine.

Adjust seasonings, as desired.

Refrigerate until ready to use. It will keep well until the next day.

Stir well before serving.

Garnish with more chopped basil, if desired.

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* Above is the “fast, easy” method …

But, if you are prepared ahead of time, & want to cook the chicken yourself:

Marinate 1 or 2 boneless chicken breasts (cut into strips) in some Basil Parmesan dressing. Then broil until nicely browned, and fully cooked. Cool & chill completely.

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** Of course, any of these ingredients could be omitted, or exchanged for others. Also, a good sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top would be good too!