Desperation pasta salad

It's been awhile since I've put any recipes up, and I'm sorry about that.

Honestly, cooking and baking this summer was nearly non-existent and then after we moved it took awhile to get things moving in the kitchen again.

But now we're up and at 'em.


A few weeks ago Nate kindly pointed out that if I packed him another meat and cheese sandwich for lunch, there was a good possibility he wouldn't survive through another lunch hour. I tried to add variety from time to time, but since he never complained, well . . .

So it was time for some immediate menu changes. I didn't want poor Nate to suffer through another painfully boring meat and cheese sandwich. And he hasn't. I am happy to report Nate has been meat-and-cheese-sandwich-free for at least 3 weeks now.

Everybody around here loves pasta salad, so last night I thought I'd make something from our cupboards. I dug around and found craisins, some chicken that needed to be eaten, a can of corn, poppyseed dressing, pasta, cheese, sunflower seeds . . . I really thought some salted cashews would be amazing in this salad, but I am very sad to say we didn't have any. If you are looking for something meat-free, cashews would be an excellent substitute for the chicken.

Desperation Pasta Salad

(amounts are approximate; I just add enough in until it looks right)

2 1/2 to 3 C rotini (I used the quick-cooking kind)

1/2 C or so of craisins

1 to 1 1/2 C cooked chicken, chopped

1 can sweet corn, drained

Roasted and salted sunflower seeds

Shredded or cubed mozzarella cheese - or gouda! Wouldn't that be delish!

Roasted and salted cashews . . . if you have them

Poppyseed dressing

Cook the pasta; drain and rinse in cold water until cool. Put in a good-sized bowl. Toss in everything else and stir; add enough dressing to your liking. The girls had third helpings of this at lunch today :)