
The Best Pasta Salad Recipe Is No Recipe at All
Pasta salad is the kind of dish intended for cleaning out your refrigerator. After you boil your preferred shape of noodles — I usually use rotini, or if I'm feeling very fancy, fusilli bucati corti — the possibilities from there are endless. First, I scour the veggie drawer for anything that looks like it needs to be used immediately. I usually have sweet peppers, maybe some corn or carrots and celery around, and those all get chopped into small pieces and stirred into the warm pasta. Literally any vegetable you have in your crisper will be good for pasta salad, but cutting it into small, bite-sized pieces is essential for ensuring that it gets evenly distributed throughout the dish. If you find any errant herbs in there, grab those too.
From there, I look for something pickle-y, maybe a jar of salt-brined Persian cucumbers or some crunchy banana peppers. Half a jar of (drained) capers will also work, as will a simple dollop of pickle relish. Then it's time to raid the cheese drawer. Ideally I'll have a few odds ends of cheese, maybe some sharp cheddar and Parmesan, that can be finely diced or shredded and tossed into the bowl. If you insist on protein in a pasta salad, shred up the remnants of that rotisserie chicken you bought a few days ago, or chop up a few hard boiled eggs.
Now, you can start digging around in the pantry. Throw in some crispy onions, or oil-marinated artichoke hearts. Maybe you've got a tin of nice anchovies lying around, or a random handful of nuts just dying to be used. Even if you think it sounds weird, pasta salad is a solid vehicle for trying new food combinations. Some won't work, but more often than not, you're going to find yourself surprised by how much you like some of these random new pairings.
The dressing can be as complicated or as simple as you like. You could easily make your own vinaigrette in the food processor with those errant herbs, some balsamic or red wine vinegar, and decent olive oil, or simply stir together a little salt and oil with some brine from the pickle-y option you chose. A bit of mayonnaise and mustard (especially a grainy or spicy variety) stirred together makes for a surprisingly solid pasta salad dressing, especially if you grate in a clove or two of fresh garlic. Don't be afraid to throw it back to the pasta salads of your '90s childhood with a bottle of Italian dressing, either — that's a classic for a reason, and it hits every single time.
Even if it seems like the ingredients that you choose don't quite 'go together,' everything mingles and mellows once the salad is dressed. The whole point here is to not over-complicate your pasta salad, and just eat things you like without feeling the need to strictly adhere to someone else's recipe. The only problem with this approach is that you're going to accidentally make a truly perfect pasta salad from time to time, and the lack of recipe might make it hard to replicate in the future. (That said, there is of course nothing stopping you from writing down your favorite combos in a notebook and coming back to them when the craving for pasta salad strikes.) See More: Eater at Home
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Time Business News
11 hours ago
- Time Business News
This is the fate of Gaza for the indifferent vision of the deaf world
This is the fate of Gaza for the indifferent vision of the deaf world – Franca ColozzoItalian poet, novelist and human rights activist Dr. Arch. Franca Colozzo, a member of the International Union of Architects (UIA), said that Gaza today is a tragic fate for the indifferent vision of the blind and deaf world. He said this in an interview timebusinessnews .Franca Colozzo speaks on behalf of the helpless women and children of Gaza, Palestine, at various international is a retired teacher of technology, drawing and art history in Italy. Multilingual author of 18 books, translator and freelancer. Blogger of the UN SDGs. Ambassador of Peace for various NGOs in India, Pakistan and the UK. Member of the International Academy of Ethics. Winner of several awards for peace and poetry at national and international is an excerpt from his interview for the readersMd. Mafidul Islam Sarkar: What message would you like to share with the viewers of timebusinessnews?Dr. Arch. Franca Colozo: My short message to the readers is to become 'resilient'. A word widely used after the post-pandemic crisis that has led us to inhumanity. In the indifferent gaze of the blind and deaf world, inhumanity is now more evident than ever in what is happening in Gaza. I believe that it is important to raise our voices against social injustice, oppression and imbalance, even if it sometimes seems insignificant globally, which has trapped the world in a vicious cycle of impatience, violence and most powerful message today should be the message of peace and tolerance if we want to teach future generations respect for their fellow human beings, women and the elderly. The word tolerance, along with interreligious harmony, should be the basis of understanding between people, a 'condition' to measure the level of civilization of the human race, which is still trapped in a huge circle of backwardness and ignorance, which nullifies the thousand-year history of ancient civilizations. It is up to all of us to transform the small droplets of water that represent us into a tsunami in the vast ocean of Islam Sarkar: What was the greatest challenge of your life and how did you face it?Franca Coloso: Without a doubt, the most important challenge of my life was to face the unknown, like Ulysses' journey to the Pillars of Hercules. Due to my innate interest in languages, the selection of several languages at the Italian Foreign Ministry faced me with an unexpected existential choice. After winning the language selection, I was sent to the Italian High School in Istanbul as a permanent teacher. At that time, I hesitated whether to temporarily leave my daughters with my husband and my elderly mother or to take on a new job. At that time, my two daughters were 13 and 8 years old respectively. I had to leave them with my engineer husband and my elderly grandmother until I could find suitable accommodation in Istanbul. This separation was not easy.I still remember my tearful eyes as I left my loved ones to catch a flight from Rome Fiumicino on that fateful morning of January 2, 1996, about 160 kilometers from my hometown of Geta (Lazio). I knew that this separation would be limited to a few weeks, but it still hurt me a despite my hesitation and disappointment, I managed to face this difficult period of my life with courage and determination. Initially, the winter fog and gloomy rain in Istanbul seemed to silence my longing for a family. I had to teach Italian to people who could only speak Turkish or difficulties of teaching Italian forced me to learn Turkish at the Tomer University in Istanbul. At the same time, I improved my knowledge of European languages such as French, English, Spanish and German in the cultural institutions there. The primary objective of learning the basics of Turkish was to adapt to a multinational society and to contribute to building a cultural bridge between two worlds (West and East) that are very different from each other through Islam Sarkar: Tell me about a personal or professional achievement that you are proud Colozo: I have many moments to be proud of, both in my professional and personal experience. Professionally, when I was able to solve a project involving the restoration and renovation of an old building for public housing, among many that I will not list here. In the field of education, the desire to be part of another world has always fascinated me, the ambition to build bridges of peace between people, to meet the needs of young people, to help them win prizes in art exhibitions. I have drawn to help my students participate in national and international drawing competitions. Not only that! I have not only helped my students draw and paint but also write in foreign languages for international poetry competitions, such as the Laurentian Prize for Italians Abroad or the 'Carducci' Prize and many writing, inspiring students, organizing exhibitions in the most prestigious places in Istanbul, from the Italian Cultural Institute to the IMI. High schools, the most prestigious universities, all this made my heart beat faster, gave a more human dimension to my proud moments, of course, were the birth of my two daughters, despite the usual problems and worries that mothers face. Although there were no particular problems with their birth, except for the eternal doubts about their prenatal and postnatal health. Being a mother always confronts us with existential choices, which are not easy to face.I have always left my daughters with the freedom to choose their own future, both in university and in personal relationships. I have always dedicated myself to their future life choices and have embraced their university studies in England, the United States, their master's degrees in Belgium, their master's degrees in Rome, their jobs abroad and their marriages to foreign men.I have never left my comfort zone, the beautiful Italian provinces.I never thought of my comfort zone, the beautiful Italian countryside, as a safe haven to protect my selfishness and, of course, not to offer them comfort and the possibility of a quiet life close to their parents. I threw the selfishness of motherhood to the wind to see them fulfilled and happy to start their lives.I tried to express my creativity in every possible way, whether forced or voluntary, to break free from the routine of retirement. This included not only artistic expression, poetry, articles, novels, social media commentary, but also research on long-term economics, climate change, sustainability, on these topics and through my participation in many UN Zoom and webinar sessions on world peace, without which nothing would be a result of my appointment as a Peace Ambassador, I have also become an expert on the disputed Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan, a long-standing issue with many UN resolutions since 1947, but which has not led to any resolution for the suffering people of Kashmir. This centuries-old dispute comes from afar and seems to have no solution given the huge presence of the Indian economy in the Islam Sarkar: What inspires you every day?Franca Colozzo: Poetry has always been my mindfulness, the force of regeneration that is often in harmony with the sea, where I love to retreat to the deserted rocks in the summer. There, when inspiration breathes like the wind through my hair, I write poetry and, facing the horizon, I look at the rocks of the sea that form the 'Serrapo Ship' (Gaeta's urban beach, the most famous among expatriates), my favorite destination and a haven for seagulls and cormorants. Poetry and writing, as well as drawing and art in general, have always been my anchor in difficult times in father's constant departures to work on oil tankers in the most remote places on earth led me to travel with my imagination to foreign ports. From the arid expanses of Saudi Arabia to the Persian Gulf, Japan, America, circumnavigating Africa or Suez, etc. These accumulated childhood memories and constant diaspora have become the canvas on which my daughters have also moved over time. The thread and weave of the traditions of my ancestors' experiences, were the common thread of our was the driving force behind writing another (yet unpublished) novel about Italian expatriates living in the United States with my first daughter and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) with my second daughter. My daily motivation comes from the challenges I face every day, from calling my distant daughters and being active on social media.I try to use them as best I can, being aware of the limitations of social media. I publish poems, articles, quotes and thoughts, often taken from my blog and online magazine, to which I devote a lot of time and passion.I fear the advent of AI, but progress cannot be stopped. It would be wise to manage it with a deep understanding of the processes behind the development of new technologies. At the beginning of my teaching career, I dedicated myself to learning the basics of computer science, which allowed me to teach both students and teachers in middle schools, as well as participating in numerous courses around the province of Latina. I also attended courses at IMI in Istanbul to stay up to date with technological advances. Environmental issues are at the heart of my activities, not only through articles, blogs for the UN DESA and UN SDG goals, participation in Zoom meetings and webinars – on a personal level, I have focused on waste recycling and the care of domestic animals, taking care of a cat colony for over eleven years.( If you have any questions for Dr. Arch Franca Colozzo, you can ask Md. Mafidul Islam Sarkar on WhatsApp +8801735-632338 TIME BUSINESS NEWS

Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business Insider
I'm a professional baker and my partner is a chef. Here are 10 of our favorite things to buy at Costco.
I'm a professional baker and my partner is a chef — we both shop at Costco for staples. We often buy Kirkland Signature extra-virgin olive oil and maple syrup in bulk. We've found Costco is also a good place to find cheese and large bags of garlic. I'm a baker and my partner is a chef, so there's always something going on in our kitchen. Since we both go through ingredients fairly quickly, Costco is our go-to place for stocking up on groceries. Here are some of our favorite Costco staples. Most of our home cooking starts with garlic. Garlic is essential in most of the cooking we do. And since my partner makes Italian food for a living, running out of it isn't an option. A two-pound bag of fresh garlic can last us a few months. Prosciutto is a go-to in our house for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Prosciutto is our bacon — we substitute it on eggs Benedict and breakfast sandwiches, include it in pasta dishes, and wrap it around chicken or fish for dinner. The salty, cured pork packs a ton of flavor, but high-quality options are expensive and often sold in smaller, 2- or 3-ounce packages at traditional grocery stores. When we can find it, we grab Citterio's 18-month-aged prosciutto di Parma, which is imported from Italy. We often graze on BelGioioso's mozzarella snack packs while cooking. These convenient bunches of cheese contain three little balls of mozzarella, but we've never eaten just one snack pack at a time. You can also skewer them on a toothpick with cherry tomatoes and basil to make an excellent Caprese or toss them on a homemade pizza. I use a lot of sugar as a baker, but will often substitute it with Kirkland Signature maple syrup. I often use maple syrup in a one-to-one ratio as a substitute for white or brown sugar in my baking. Its flavor is more complex, and it's particularly good in cookies and glazes. I always reach for 100% pure maple syrup, which can be expensive, but Kirkland Signature's option is typically affordable and high quality. Our favorite breakfast is bagels and lox, and we save money by making it at home with Costco's smoked salmon. In Seattle, a bagel with cream cheese and lox can easily cost over $12, which is not a daily expense that kitchen salaries can afford. So we buy our favorite bagels from bakers around town and build our own. Subtly smoky and presliced, Kirkland Signature smoked salmon is both fairly priced and versatile — we add it to salads and risottos, as well. Kirkland Signature's oat nondairy beverage is our favorite. My partner is lactose intolerant, and Kirkland Signature's oat beverage is our nondairy alternative of choice. Creamy, with a subtle oat flavor, this option is great in coffee but also a good substitute for whole milk in many baked goods. We don't mind buying this in bulk because the boxes can be stored in the pantry until opened. Every chef needs a good supply of olive oil on hand. Kirkland Signature's organic extra-virgin olive oil is a cooking staple. We use it as the base of salad dressings, roast vegetables in it, and drizzle it on pasta. For something so ubiquitous in our cooking, we want an oil that is high quality but not out of our price range, so Kirkland Signature's option does the trick. The "king of cheeses" is often sold at Costco for a reasonable price. In restaurant kitchens, we got used to working with some of the best ingredients, like Parmigiano Reggiano, but they aren't cheap. Known as the "king of cheeses," the ingredient is imported from Emilia-Romagna, Italy. At conventional grocery stores, Parmigiano Reggiano is hard to find and can be quite expensive for a small sliver. At Costco, the 36-month-aged cheese is usually sold for half the price of that at local shops and grocery stores near us — making it a must-buy on every trip. Cento San Marzano tomatoes are always on our grocery list. Three 28-ounce cans of San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes only last a few days in our house. Aside from adding canned tomatoes in marinara and ragù, we use them in braises, as part of soup bases, and in my partner's favorite egg dish, shakshuka. The book section at Costco is one of our favorite places to find cooking inspiration. Costco is not the most obvious place to shop for something to read, but the selection offers many of the latest cookbook releases at a fraction of the price of traditional bookstores. We love getting new cookbooks to inspire both our home and professional meals. I always buy the latest Yotam Ottolenghi release. Books vary in price but are typically 20% to 40% off the traditional retail rates. . This story was originally published on February 2, 2022, and most recently updated on July 2, 2025.


Eater
3 days ago
- Eater
The Best Pasta Salad Recipe Is No Recipe at All
During the summer, there are few things I want to eat more regularly than pasta salad. It's hearty without being heavy, easy to eat right out of the fridge when it's too hot to cook, and holds up well as leftovers for days. But the thing I appreciate most about pasta salad is that it is the original no-recipe recipe. In fact, I would argue that pasta salad always turns out best when there's no recipe involved. Pasta salad is the kind of dish intended for cleaning out your refrigerator. After you boil your preferred shape of noodles — I usually use rotini, or if I'm feeling very fancy, fusilli bucati corti — the possibilities from there are endless. First, I scour the veggie drawer for anything that looks like it needs to be used immediately. I usually have sweet peppers, maybe some corn or carrots and celery around, and those all get chopped into small pieces and stirred into the warm pasta. Literally any vegetable you have in your crisper will be good for pasta salad, but cutting it into small, bite-sized pieces is essential for ensuring that it gets evenly distributed throughout the dish. If you find any errant herbs in there, grab those too. From there, I look for something pickle-y, maybe a jar of salt-brined Persian cucumbers or some crunchy banana peppers. Half a jar of (drained) capers will also work, as will a simple dollop of pickle relish. Then it's time to raid the cheese drawer. Ideally I'll have a few odds ends of cheese, maybe some sharp cheddar and Parmesan, that can be finely diced or shredded and tossed into the bowl. If you insist on protein in a pasta salad, shred up the remnants of that rotisserie chicken you bought a few days ago, or chop up a few hard boiled eggs. Now, you can start digging around in the pantry. Throw in some crispy onions, or oil-marinated artichoke hearts. Maybe you've got a tin of nice anchovies lying around, or a random handful of nuts just dying to be used. Even if you think it sounds weird, pasta salad is a solid vehicle for trying new food combinations. Some won't work, but more often than not, you're going to find yourself surprised by how much you like some of these random new pairings. The dressing can be as complicated or as simple as you like. You could easily make your own vinaigrette in the food processor with those errant herbs, some balsamic or red wine vinegar, and decent olive oil, or simply stir together a little salt and oil with some brine from the pickle-y option you chose. A bit of mayonnaise and mustard (especially a grainy or spicy variety) stirred together makes for a surprisingly solid pasta salad dressing, especially if you grate in a clove or two of fresh garlic. Don't be afraid to throw it back to the pasta salads of your '90s childhood with a bottle of Italian dressing, either — that's a classic for a reason, and it hits every single time. Even if it seems like the ingredients that you choose don't quite 'go together,' everything mingles and mellows once the salad is dressed. The whole point here is to not over-complicate your pasta salad, and just eat things you like without feeling the need to strictly adhere to someone else's recipe. The only problem with this approach is that you're going to accidentally make a truly perfect pasta salad from time to time, and the lack of recipe might make it hard to replicate in the future. (That said, there is of course nothing stopping you from writing down your favorite combos in a notebook and coming back to them when the craving for pasta salad strikes.) See More: Eater at Home How to Cook What to Cook