It’s Pasta Salad With Cookie for the Month of March

It’s a little small, a little noisy and maybe not all that comfortable, but Cookie managed to turn an errant bag of rotini pasta into a makeshift bed..

I set down the pasta bag and, as cats need to be even just the slightest bit elevated, even just the thickness of a piece of paper, Cookie stepped on top of it, then proceeded to noisily figure out how to make it comfortable and settle down for a nap on the bag. Here are the photos from the march pages of In the Kitchen With Cookie.

Each month has a different recipe based on what Cookie is doing in the photo, and this month it’s my somewhat famous pasta salad. As a long-time vegetarian, I’ve been invited to many a pot-luck, picnic or holiday party that was heavy on the burgers and weenies and spiral-sliced ham with nothing for someone who didn’t eat meat. While I love to whip up something impressive, between cats and family and events and work and budget it often became some variation on a quick and simple pasta salad.

But that didn’t mean it was always the same pasta salad. As Cookie and I enjoyed the summer seasons in the garden and the warmth of the winter kitchen, the ingredients changed from olives and artichokes and roasted red peppers in the winter to fresh basil, hot and sweet peppers and cherry tomatoes in mid-summer. It’s meant to make the work easy on you, using what’s available and what you like to create an inexpensive and tasty offering for a party, or just for yourself.

RECIPE: QUICK PASTA SALAD
Pot luck affairs often don’t have enough vegetarian choices to make a satisfying meal, but I find pasta salad satisfying at any time. I love working with fresh ingredients but don’t always have the time, and sometimes canned are better, especially if they are olives and such.

Cook one pound of rotini pasta according to directions. Have two cups of various black or green or cured olives, artichoke hearts, marinated mushrooms, roasted red peppers or any other pickled item, and two cups of chopped fresh or whole cherry tomatoes, onions, fresh green or red peppers and other vegetables. You can use the liquids from the pickled items or pour one cup of bottled Italian dressing over and toss, or use simply 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/4 cup of olive oil, add salt and pepper to taste, and fresh basil and other herbs in season. Chill at least an hour.

Here’s the two-page spread for March:

Below is my original text from when I posted this photo in June 2011:

It’s a little small, a little noisy and maybe not all that comfortable, but Cookie managed to turn an errant bag of rotini pasta into a makeshift bed.

Yes, Cookie has owned the kitchen lately, happily interacting with everything I happen to set down on the table or cabinet. She’s always been curious, though, so it’s not surprising and it’s always amusing to see what she’s decided to do.

In the meantime, here’s a little slideshow of Cookie turning the pasta bag into a bed along with her commentary to me…this following the basket of tomatoes as a pillow from a few days ago.. At one point Kelly comes over to look at her but makes no comment, and Mr. Sunshine sniffs her to make sure she’s okay.

[portfolio_slideshow]

Read more about “Compositions in Black and Green”
and “In the Kitchen With Cookie”

Click the image below to go to my “calendars” page to read more about each one including what photos are featured on each page and, for In the Kitchen With Cookie, which recipe is featured. I’ve provided a book-flip slideshow so you can browse the pages too.

Both calendars are $5.00 each plus shipping. I’d love to know my cats were in your home! Well, virtually, at least!

Browse some rescued cats and kittens!

All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check my Etsy shop or Fine Art America profile to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.

Announcing the 2013 BlogPaws Nose-to-Nose Awards!

An awful lot of bloggers bring you an awful lot of information and entertainment each day.
If you enjoy what you read, here’s a way to thank them all!

You have the chance to nominate your favorite blogs in 12 different categories, and a panel of professionals judge the finalists you’ve chosen.

The categories are:

I have my favorites who I read each day! I’m sure you do too, so click on over to BlogPaws, read the information, and vote!
It’s one way we can thank them for providing quality content we enjoy reading, day in and day out.

Here is the information you will need about The Creative Cat:

Blog Homepage: www.TheCreativeCat.net

Contact Name for Blog Owner: Bernadette Kazmarski

Contact Email for the Blog Owner: [email protected]

As part of the nomination you are requested to explain in a few sentences why you’ve chosen your nominee.

Click here to go to the nomination page.

Mimi and her Fantastic Four children, as well as Cookie and Kelly, and Peaches and Namir and all the members of my feline household, and all the kitties whose stories you’ve shared and who’ve found homes through our readers thank you, even if we are not your nominee, because you help all of us.

All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check my Etsy shop or Fine Art America profile to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.