Pasta Salad

This pasta salad recipe is a family favorite. I've been eating this since I was a kid. It's one of those recipes that all of my mother's children know how to make. It's a staple, particularly in the summer or at a potluck. And it's one we always get compliments on. Better yet, it's extremely easy!

Pasta Salad


16 oz. Rotini pasta, cooked and cooled
1 large bottle of Italian Dressing
1 packet dry Zesty Italian Seasoning Mix (This is KEY! You must not leave this out!)
Cheese (Cheddar, Colby, whatever), cubed
Tomatoes, chopped
Cucumber, chopped
Pepperoni, sliced


Toss all of the above ingredients together in a large bowl.

Skillet Barbecue Chicken

It's been a while since I blogged. There are 2 reasons for this....
1. I don't have the time or energy to blog.
2. More importantly, I don't have the time or energy to try new recipes!

I have been really slack in the kitchen lately. I'm working full time and by the time I'm home I mentally cannot wrap my mind around trying new recipes or sometimes even cooking at all. We're not starving here, but definitely are spending more money eating out than ever. I hate it. I feel completely responsible and lazy. Luckily, Charlie puts up with it. In fact, he doesn't even just put up with it, he lovingly tells me it's okay!

I miss cooking. I miss the days when I had all the time in the world to search for recipes to try. I miss having dinner on the table when Charlie came home. New recipes. Exciting recipes. I long for summer break, one of the luxuries of being a teacher. Working at a year round school is supposed to be awesome. A 3 week break every quarter sounds lovely. But me? No real break since Christmas. I need it. I know, I know. Most people have to work all year. No breaks unless they take a vacation. So who am I to complain? Yet I do, and will contine to complain. :)

Another joy of teaching, besides the breaks of course, is student gifts, sometimes. A lot of times we get those "apple" items. And other times we get awesome, useful things! Teacher Appreciation Week was a few weeks ago. I got Starbucks, gift cards, flowers, and a cookbook! A cookbook!!! A good one too! Better yet, a healthy one! Yay! Just what we need! So many things in the title catch my eye....

Cooking Light: a reputable source, and LIGHT!

Fast: exactly what I need right now!

Weeknight: Not a lot of time or energy needed!

So this one comes from my new cookbook!


Skillet Barbecue Chicken
Source: Cooking Light Fresh Food Fast Weeknight Meals

4 Chicken breast halves
3 garlic gloves, minced
1 T seasoning blend (the recipe says Southwest Chipotle, I used some chicken seasoning I had for the grill)
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 T olive oil
1/2 C BBQ sauce
1/4 C water

Pound chicken to 1/2" thickness. Rub chicken with garlic and sprinkle with salt. Season with seasoning blend.

Heat oil in skillet over medium high heat. Cook chicken 3-4 minutes on each side. Add barbecue sauce and water to skillet. Cook 1-2 minutes until chicken is done.