Thursday, October 13, 2011

John's Macaroni Salad

This recipe is a slight departure from the one posted on the box of pasta purchased at Safeway.  You can elect to follow the box or the option posted below.   I think mine is far better.

Ingredients

  • One box Golden Grain "salad" pasta or other manufacturer, but use the cylinder type pasta not elbo.  The following recipe makes a double recipe and has 16 oz. of pasta (full box of pasta).  So, if you use the full box of pasta you will need the following ingredients.  If only half the box, cut the recipe in half. 
  • 2 cups good quality mayonnaise.
  • 6 TB of apple-cider vinegar.
  • 2 TB prepared mustard (I use French's)  do not use any other type as that significantly impacts taste.
  • 4 Teas. Sugar.
  • 2 Teas. Salt.
  • 1/2 Teas. Black Pepper.
  • 2-2/3 cups chopped (diced) fresh Celery.
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion.
  • 1 bunch of chopped (diced) radishes. (Kathy, my sister-in-law, uses radishes in her salad, so I replaced the green and red peppers with finely diced radishes.) 
  • 1/4-1/2 Teas. Cayenne Pepper to taste.
Procedure
  • Follow instructions on box for pasta (I cook the pasta for about 13 minutes).
  • Combine all remaining ingredients to make sauce for pasta while pasta is cooking.
  • Strain pasta and wash with cold water until pasta is cooled.
  • Mix in combined sauce.
  • Cover with clear wrap and chill overnight.
  • Next day, stir macaroni salad and taste.
  • Mix in no more than 1 TB of mayonnaise and/or 1 Teas. prepared mustard if needed for taste. (Make sure you do not add too much mustard).