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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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July 21, 2011

Make Ahead Summer Recipe…Greek Pasta Salad

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I love serving pasta salads in the summer.  They are the perfect meal for those long hot days when you’ve spent the afternoon at the pool or lake and the thought of coming home and standing in front of a stove is unbearable.  If you are like I am, and always on the hunt for fabulous recipes, then you need to look no further than our friend Val at Val So Cal!  She creates the most amazing dishes and drinks and desserts along with mouthwatering photographs.  Even better, she is as sweet as those lovely desserts she makes!
Her Greek Pasta Salad was no exception! I loved the Mediterranean flavors of this dish and it was so easy to prepare it in the morning and come in that evening to dinner, and the icing on the cake..or the tomato on the top…it photographs beautifully!

My favorite combination… good food and getting to photograph it! My family loved it too, since it was served cold they didn’t have to sit around waiting for dinner while I snapped 30 pictures of the same dish. 😉

Greek-Pasta-salad-2

                                                             
Greek Pasta Salad– created by Valerie from Val So Cal


Ingredients:
   
1 package pasta – your choice

1/4 cup olive oil
one yellow onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups of mushrooms, sliced (optional)
4 chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 (14 oz.) jar  or can of artichokes in water, chopped
2 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon basil
1 tablespoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup white wine ( optional)
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
the juice of one lemon
8 oz. feta cheese
handful of cherry tomatoes, halved.
salt and pepper


Directions:

Cook pasta and set aside. Meanwhile in a skillet heat olive oil on med-high heat. Cook chicken until cooked through and set aside. In the same skillet add onion and garlic and sauté for 5 min and then add mushrooms (if you choose to use) and cook until mushrooms have color. Add in artichokes to skillet and heat through.        
Mix white wine, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice and spices. Mix well and add to the pasta. Top with Feta cheese and tomatoes.

Greek-Pasta-Salad-1
Give this fabulous dish a try for an easy and delicious summer meal and make sure to visit Val for even more wonderful recipes! 
Thanks for joining me for dinner…at the picket fence!
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This post is partying at:

Modern Country Style: Summer Loving Link Party

21 Comments Filed Under: Main Dishes, Recipes

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Comments

  1. Ashley says

    July 20, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    o man this looks amazing!

    Reply
  2. Honey at 2805 says

    July 20, 2011 at 6:59 PM

    I love pasta salads too! This one looks and sounds cool n refrshingfo this hot summer!

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth says

    July 20, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    This looks delicious! Great for a hot summer day!

    Reply
  4. Kristin says

    July 20, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    I’ve been on the lookout for a pasta salad for my next party and this is it! Thanks for sharing, and for the beautiful photos!!

    Reply
  5. Coley says

    July 20, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    MmMm! Delish

    Reply
  6. Pam @ OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement says

    July 20, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    It looks delicious! Thanks for sharing.

    Pam

    Reply
  7. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    July 20, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    Heather this looks AMAZING!! I’m trying this tomorrow, thanks for sharing it with us! Martina

    Reply
  8. Liz says

    July 21, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    I am officially starving now, thank you! 😉 I will be sure to make that this weekend, YUM-O!! Thanks so much for sharing! XO ~Liz

    Reply
  9. Gina says

    July 21, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    Oh yum! Looks like the perfect meal in this crazy heat & humidity.

    Reply
  10. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    July 21, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    I will have to try this, Heather. Thanks for sharing it.

    Reply
  11. Haniela says

    July 21, 2011 at 2:58 AM

    Now this looks absolutely amazing, I love dishes like this, totally my style. Fresh and refreshing. love everything about it.
    DELICIOUS!!!

    Reply
  12. Shelia says

    July 21, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    This looks so delicious! 🙂
    Looks like a wonderful summer dinner!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  13. SavannahGranny says

    July 21, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    Looks delish. Kudos to Val and thanks for sharing Heather. Ginger 🙂

    Reply
  14. Tina says

    July 21, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    This looks so good! I will have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  15. Pink Overalls @DIY Home Staging says

    July 21, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    I like Greek salads too. Unlike some salads, they taste better if made ahead of time.

    Your recipe is an improvement over the ones I make. It has more ingredients (like artichokes and mushrooms), so I will definitely try it.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  16. Catie says

    July 21, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    Hi Heather, This looks SOO good! I’d eat it right now for lunch. We love greek salad at our house. I’ll have to give this a try. Thanks for sharing. Oh, you’re pictures are fabulous! : ) ~ Catie

    Reply
  17. Val says

    July 21, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Boy, doesn’t that look FABULOUS!!! Thank you for making this dish…I’m thrilled and honored!! You gals make me happy, always.

    Reply
  18. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    July 21, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    This looks incredible…and so fresh. I love a cold, fresh meal in the hot weather. Your pics are awesome too…

    Reply
  19. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    August 24, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Oooh, yummy! You can link up as many times you like if they’re as yummy as the two you linked today! Big fat Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmms heading your way! – Can you hear me?!!

    Thank you so much for linking up today to my Summer Loving party.

    Sarahx

    Reply
  20. evie @ brown paper packages says

    August 24, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Oh YUM. I think I’m gonna have to give this one a try this week…sound like a perfect summer dish. mmmm!!

    Reply
  21. GLENDA CHILDERS says

    August 27, 2011 at 2:57 AM

    What a beautiful summer salad.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

    Reply

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