Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad

My mom makes a mean pasta salad. Her mayo-less version is a mostly traditional Italian pasta salad which marinates in an Italian salad dressing for a few hours before enjoying.

This Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad version is based on hers, but I decided to make it all the more summery but adding grill-friendly vegetables.

This is mostly a make ahead recipe. Right before serving (or while grilling up the main dish), you just add the veggies to the grill, then toss into the pasta.

I made this Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad for friends with my recipe for Grilled T-Bone Steak with Gremolata.

Ingredients:

  • 2 boxes tri-colored pasta
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 bell peppers, any color, chopped
  • 1 (8 oz package) sliced baby bella mushrooms
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 1 yellow squash, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

Marinade

  • 2 tablespoons garlic salt
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1 cup white wine vinegar
  • 2 cups olive oil

Continue reading Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Bowls with Guacamole

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, IMUSA and McCormick Spices have teamed up to sponsor a great giveaway for I Can Cook That Readers! Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15 and celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking Nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.


I will be giving away a Cuban/Caribbean-themed package which includes the following:

  • IMUSA’s Wood Mortar and Pestal, Caldero, and Tostonera
  • McCormick’s Black Pepper, Garlic Salt, Curry Powder, Paprika, Cinnamon, Oregano, Black Peppercorn Grinder, Chicken Bag n’ Season, and Black Beans and Rice Mix

Details on how to enter will be at the end of this post!

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I also received a nifty little package myself which included an IMUSA Cloth Tortilla Warmer, IMUSA Multicolor Salsa Dishes, IMUSA Granite Molcajete, and McCormick’s Black Pepper, Cumin, Mexican Oregano, Chili Powder, Cilantro Leaves, Taco Recipe Mix, Enchilada Recipe Mix, and Tinga de Pollo Recipe Mix.

 

So what better time to whip out the slow cooker and make Chicken Taco Bowls topped with Fresh Guacamole?

I adapted this recipe from a Budget Bytes recipe; the recipe is perfect for large crowds so I tested it out on a group of friends who came to visit this weekend. It also makes for one delicious reheated lunch option during the week!

Ingredients:

Taco Bowls

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 (16 oz) jar mild salsa
  • 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained
  • 2 (8 oz) bags frozen corn
  • 1 packet Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
  • ½ tablespoon Ground Cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican Oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 8 cups chicken broth (or water), divided
  • 3 cups long grain rice
  • 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Guacamole

  • 3 Haas avocados
  • The juice of 1 lime
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ cup (~1/2 small onion) diced red onion
  • ½ jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
  • 2 plum tomatoes, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Continue reading Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Bowls with Guacamole

Exit mobile version