Tuscan Pasta Salad

This easy-to-make pasta salad can be served cold or warm and is delicious either way. Pasta shape matters! We like rotini (twisty), rotelle (wagon wheel) or farfalle (bowtie) best for pasta salads because they catch the dressing and hold the flavor. Made with fresh veggies, it’s perfect as a side dish or even the main course for a light summer dinner.

INGREDIENTS

• 16 oz. pasta, cooked and drained

• 1 7 oz. jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1 6.5 oz. can sliced olives

• 1 cup fresh spinach

• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

• Optional:

• 1 Tbsp. red onion, chopped

• 12 fresh grape tomatoes, chopped

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup olive oil

• 2 Tbsp. white vinegar

• 2 Tbsp. water

• 1 tsp. salt

• 1 tsp. sugar

• 1 tsp. dry oregano

• 1 tsp. dried basil

• 1 clove garlic

• black pepper to taste

1. Make dressing: In a small bowl whisk olive oil, vinegar, water, salt, sugar, oregano, basil, garlic and salt & pepper. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl combine pasta, sundried tomatoes, bell pepper, olives, spinach, basil, parmesan cheese, red onion and grape tomatoes. Gently toss until combined.

3. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta salad and serve immediately if a warm salad is desired; cover salad and place in fridge for at least 1 hour if serving cold.

The warm weather has us stocking our backyard bars with mixers for all our favorite Long Island summertime cocktails. We decided it would be fun to ask some of our local bartenders for a few of their popular tropical drink recipes. Here are a few – give them a try! (just not all on the same night)

Long Islanders voted Spiro’s Lounge Best Signature Cocktail 2022 and Best Martini 2016-2023!

With over 100 cocktails on their drink menu, Spiro’s Lounge always has a signature drink or creative cocktail worthy of trying. For a terrific Happy Hour, all day, every day, visit them at 4 Patchogue Drive in Rocky Point. Famous for their award-winning martinis, they were happy to share some of their popular drink recipes with us…