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Not Running => Food => Topic started by: merigayle on June 09, 2015, 06:56:20 AM

Title: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 09, 2015, 06:56:20 AM
My neighbor is on hospice care as of Sunday and I volunteered for a meal for Thursday. I am not going to cook meat for them, but they need no cheese and I was going to do a baked ziti or lasagna (i doubt they would like tofu cheese!) and was thinking a pasta salad would be nice. Any easy ideas?
Title: Pasta salad?
Post by: triciaflower on June 09, 2015, 12:32:49 PM
You could do a pasta salad with tuna.  No cooking of meat necessary.


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Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: rocketgirl on June 09, 2015, 12:42:16 PM
There are a ton of recipes out there.  You could just leave out the cheese that many of them have as long as it's well-seasoned.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 09, 2015, 01:02:51 PM
Can someone just give me a version that has no meat in it? Their son is vegetarian. I would put chickpeas in it. I just do not know what to use as the "dressing" part.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 09, 2015, 01:03:08 PM
I also may be lazy and buy something prepared at Wegmans tomorrow night  :sneaking:
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: radial on June 09, 2015, 01:25:22 PM
I also may be lazy and buy something prepared at Wegmans tomorrow night  :sneaking:

I've heard that people sometimes do that.  They even go so far as to put in their own bowl so it looks home-made!

:sneaking:
Title: Pasta salad?
Post by: triciaflower on June 09, 2015, 01:41:41 PM
Oh I misunderstood! I thought you wanted it to have meat but you didn't want to cook it.

I don't have a recipe but the one I make generally has:

Rotini noodles cooked al dente
Blanched veggies such as:
Broccoli, red pepper, green pepper.
Raw veggies: red onion or shallots, zucchini, corn

You really can do no wrong here.

I do a simple dressing with a bit of mayo, vinegar or lemon juice, fresh parley and other herbs such as sage, salt and pepper or just a bottled Italian dressing.

I think a can of drained chickpeas would be a great addition.


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Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 09, 2015, 01:58:56 PM
Thanks! Will keep you posted, may just peruse Wegmans tomorrow during DD's gymnastics and go from there. I signed up for a night next week too.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: rocketgirl on June 09, 2015, 02:03:30 PM
Can someone just give me a version that has no meat in it? Their son is vegetarian. I would put chickpeas in it. I just do not know what to use as the "dressing" part.

olive oil and a bunch of Italian seasoning.  Do pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, olives, maybe some artichoke, a little finely chopped onion...

I do this a lot, and I'm sure it's fine over cold veggie rotini.  Just leave out the cheese and make a little extra dressing.  I don't typically have fresh basil so use the stuff in the spice jar.  Use a little less mustard than the recipe says or it's too much.  I left off link:  http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cherry-tomato-asparagus-salad (http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cherry-tomato-asparagus-salad)
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 09, 2015, 05:27:07 PM
COuld i use a bottle of Italian dressing?
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: rocketgirl on June 09, 2015, 05:57:17 PM
COuld i use a bottle of Italian dressing?

Probably.  But add more basil.  The dressing won't be quite seasoned enough to stand up to the absorbing properties of pasta.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 09, 2015, 06:55:19 PM
Probably.  But add more basil.  The dressing won't be quite seasoned enough to stand up to the absorbing properties of pasta.
Thanks! If I do not do it this week, probably next week. I will have more free time then. The other people that said what they are bringing are bringing such heavy foods-- briskets, roast beefs, etc.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: triciaflower on June 10, 2015, 07:33:05 AM

olive oil and a bunch of Italian seasoning.  Do pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, olives, maybe some artichoke, a little finely chopped onion...

Tomatoes and olives and artichokes! Yes!! You can get the marinated ones and use the liquid to add more flavor.


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Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: caribougrrl on June 10, 2015, 07:43:21 AM
there's an old pasta salad without mayo thread (http://chrunners.net/forum/index.php?topic=10306.0) that might be helpful too
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 10, 2015, 07:59:37 AM
there's an old pasta salad without mayo thread (http://chrunners.net/forum/index.php?topic=10306.0) that might be helpful too
thanks!
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: blue sleep on June 10, 2015, 08:48:22 AM
Just read an article on another site.  Some look really good...

http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/06/bean-whole-grain-salad-recipes.html (http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/06/bean-whole-grain-salad-recipes.html)
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 10, 2015, 10:25:06 AM
Just read an article on another site.  Some look really good...

http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/06/bean-whole-grain-salad-recipes.html (http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/06/bean-whole-grain-salad-recipes.html)
Thanks!
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: rocketgirl on June 10, 2015, 12:18:52 PM
Someone posted this Pioneer Woman pasta salad recipe once.  It was AMAZING.  But it also had expensive ingredients and was a pain in the ass to make and was one of two times I ever used the blender received as a wedding gift (which I no longer own based on almost never using it per the space it took up).  So I didn't suggest that one as something quick and easy.  It was tasty though.  http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/06/fourth-of-july-week-sundried-tomato-pasta-salad/ (http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/06/fourth-of-july-week-sundried-tomato-pasta-salad/)
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 10, 2015, 02:17:17 PM
Someone posted this Pioneer Woman pasta salad recipe once.  It was AMAZING.  But it also had expensive ingredients and was a pain in the ass to make and was one of two times I ever used the blender received as a wedding gift (which I no longer own based on almost never using it per the space it took up).  So I didn't suggest that one as something quick and easy.  It was tasty though.  http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/06/fourth-of-july-week-sundried-tomato-pasta-salad/ (http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/06/fourth-of-july-week-sundried-tomato-pasta-salad/)
That looks interesting, but i hate olives, LOL!
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: diablita on June 10, 2015, 02:49:26 PM
Thanks! If I do not do it this week, probably next week. I will have more free time then. The other people that said what they are bringing are bringing such heavy foods-- briskets, roast beefs, etc.

Heavy foods tend to be comforting, so I understand that. 

Will your food be eaten by the patient as well as the family?  If so, I might actually avoid a vinegar-based dish and opt for something more neutral.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 10, 2015, 02:50:34 PM
Heavy foods tend to be comforting, so I understand that. 

Will your food be eaten by the patient as well as the family?  If so, I might actually avoid a vinegar-based dish and opt for something more neutral.
She is not really eating. I am planning on picking up some prepared foods tonight for tomorrow. I am overwhelmed by pasta salads! With DD not in school and camp, i just do not have any time.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: diablita on June 10, 2015, 03:36:44 PM
Whatever you do, it's thoughtful and I'm sure will be appreciated it.

We did this for friends a few years ago.  The best food items were those which could be held and reheated without impacting quality. 
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 10, 2015, 05:55:53 PM
Got a loaf of fresh crusty bread and Italian Wedding Soup from the market. I made Lentil soup yesterday and will package some of that up too. I know my neighbor (the one on hospice) likes to make Italian Wedding soup.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: diablita on June 10, 2015, 09:51:13 PM
That sounds perfect.

When my mother was first diagnosed and I stayed in Miami, DH and DD drove back up.  Our friends got together and made a ton of different soups and chilis (they love soup) and it was SO nice to know that my family was being nourished with healthy, hearty food while I was helping my mom.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: triciaflower on June 10, 2015, 10:32:32 PM
Soups are perfect. They reheat well and are full of vitamins. You are so thoughtful, Meri.


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Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 11, 2015, 07:00:48 AM
thanks! The one on hospice has been trouble eating for the past few months, so i think soup is good.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 17, 2015, 11:53:37 AM
So the dietary restrictions are for the husband, not the wife who was on hospice. I am up again tomorrow and I think I will make a Caesar pasta salad. I went to Costco today and nothing struck me for them in the prepared food section. Any other meal ideas that a vegetarian can make for them, let me know, as I think we will try to do the meal train for quite some time. Funeral is Saturday and we do not want to leave them alone, and hungry, once all the visitors stop.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: Run Amok on June 17, 2015, 01:27:18 PM
All of my best ideas are in that thread CGirl posted. I bumped it because good stuff there. The pesto one could easily be modified to a different pasta than tortellini. I like the cold peanut noodle suggestion though because it's a little more substantial and filling.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 17, 2015, 01:31:47 PM
All of my best ideas are in that thread CGirl posted. I bumped it because good stuff there. The pesto one could easily be modified to a different pasta than tortellini. I like the cold peanut noodle suggestion though because it's a little more substantial and filling.
thanks!
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: Run Amok on June 17, 2015, 01:44:36 PM
Oh, now I see you went with soup. That's perfect! It reheats/freezes well and is comforting and nutritious!
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 17, 2015, 01:48:22 PM
Oh, now I see you went with soup. That's perfect! It reheats/freezes well and is comforting and nutritious!
Pasta salad for tomorrow, but i think i will make a caesar salad pasta salad (noodles, chopped romaine lettuce, halve cherry tomatos, parm cheese (on the side for the cheese restrictions), croutons and caesar dressing. I will see if the market has some pregrilled chicken i could put in it too.
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: Run Amok on June 17, 2015, 02:03:18 PM
Great idea!
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 17, 2015, 02:05:56 PM
Minus the chicken, it is one of DD's favorite meals at her school. I never heard of it until then!
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 18, 2015, 03:06:33 PM
I made the Caeser pasta salad and it looked beautiful. I even found some precooked chicken strips i diced up and put in it for them. I put the shredded cheese and croutons on the side (since the husband can not eat cheese and the croutons would get soggy). Now what to make for them next???? Maybe I need a new thread?
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: Run Amok on June 18, 2015, 03:07:54 PM
how many meals do you need to cook for them? You've been amazingly generous so far!
Title: Re: Pasta salad?
Post by: merigayle on June 18, 2015, 03:46:03 PM
As many as they need. Now that the wife has passed, my fear (which I shared with the third neighbor) is that people will just fade away and the help and support diminish over the next days/weeks. I told the other neighbor that she and I can do it for a long time if we need to and she agreed. It is just so hard with the way I eat/cook and their dietary restrictions. Not so sure quinoa salad or Indian curries will do it for them :D But at the same time, a lot of the comfort foods I would traditionally make like baked ziti, lasagna, mac n cheese, etc, they cannot eat with the cheese restriction. The other option is just do prepared foods and the cost of what I made today was more than the prepared foods from last week. At least it is summer and I can do lighter dishes like pasta salads. Maybe I will just do a different pasta salad each time, haha.