Italian Pasta Salad

This is a wonderful and easy salad to make, especially in those hot summer months!!


4 ounces packaged dry mafalda, large bow tie, or campanelle pasta

6 cups mesclun or other spring greens

1 cup grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise

1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola, blue, or feta cheese
3 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons white wine vinegar or Balsamic vinegar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted



If you have chosen to use the mafalda pasta, please break it into irregular pieces, 2 to 3 inches long. Now you are ready to cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again.

Next, take a large salad bowl and in it combine the cooked pasta, mesclun or other spring greens, tomatoes, and cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar, tossing to coat. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Sprinkle with pine nuts.

Hot Cocoa Mix to use for gifts

If you are short on money and need a great holiday gift to give, here is an awesome recipe that has a secret ingredient - mini chocolate chips!! This is delicious when the mini chocolate chips melt when combined with boiling water. A great gift to give!!


2 cups of nonfat dry milk powder

¾ cup of sugar

½ cup of unsweetened cocoa

½ cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

½ cup powdered nondairy creamer

1/8 teaspoon salt

measuring cups

measuring spoons

mixing bowl

wire whisk


First, gather all of the ingredients. Begin by measuring all of the ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Gently whisk all of the ingredients together until thoroughly combined together. It is as easy as that!!

Store the hot cocoa mix in an airtight plastic container at room temperature until ready to package together for a beautiful and delicious holiday gift. This recipe makes about four cups of hot cocoa mix, which is enough for four gifts.

To assemble the gift, measure out 1 cup of mix into a small ziplock bag or a decorative plastic bag. Gently place this plastic bag into a holiday mug. A person could also fill this mug with mini marshmallows, candy cane stirrers or a chocolate covered spoon. Then take cellophane and wrap the cup up tightly. Make sure to attach a gift tag that reads: “Spoon 3 – 4 generous tablespoons of cocoa mix into your mug. Add boiling water and stir well. Enjoy!!”

The Purpose of this Blog

This is my first attempt at blogging!! I am going to be adding my favorite recipes to this blog. Enjoy!!