Hot Dogs, Pasta Salad, Oranges

Are you ready for summer?

My pasta salad recipe is pretty typical, but I do have one secret: dry Italian dressing mix. I like my pasta salad to have maximum flavor without adding too much oily dressing. That's why I add a little dry dressing mix to my salad; it's like using super-flavorful dressing instead of regular!

8 oz rotini pasta
3 c chopped veggies (onion, carrot, bell pepper, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, etc)
optional: 3 oz mozzarellla, cubed
1/3 to 2/3 cup Italian dressing
1 to 2 t dry Italian dressing mix

1 pkg. hot dogs
1 pkg. buns

oranges, separated into sections



Early in the day, cook pasta according to directions; drain. Place in the fridge to cool. About 1 hour before dinner, mix together pasta, veggies, and cheese, if using. Then mix in Italian dressing to desired taste. Sprinkle on a little dry Italian dressing mix, also to taste. Place pasta salad back into the fridge to chill.

Cook hot dogs according to your preference (grill, boil, pan fry, microwave (with a slit for ventilation)). Serve on buns with your preferred condiments.