Pasta Salad with Garlic Spinach and Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing

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This has become my favorite way to eat Garlic Spinach (a green similar to spinach we have growing on the farm).  The vinaigrette dressing perfectly balances the garlic flavor and slight bitterness of the Garlic Spinach.  Perfect!

Pasta Salad with Garlic Spinach and Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette:
-1 box whole wheat pasta, cooked.  (Pictured above: thin spaghetti)
-1 bunch Garlic Spinach, leaves torn off, stirred into pasta salad.
-1 Tablespoon parmesan cheese, sprinkled on top when served
-Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:
  1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  1/3 cup Balsamic Vinegar
  1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  salt & pepper to taste
  Mix all ingredients of dressing well.  (I put into a tupperware container & shake it to blend.)

Cook pasta.  When cool, place pasta into bowl with Garlic Spinach.  Coat with dressing, place into serving bowl and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting Wishful Acres Farm blog!

Olive Garden salad dressing: copycat recipe

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I came across this copycat recipe for Olive Garden salad dressing a few years ago.  I don't think it tastes exactly like the restaurant's dressing, but OH is it good.  It's not exactly healthy, so I only make this a few times a year.  It's definitely a special treat.

This dressing is great on an Italian salad with lots of green lettuces, black olives, green onions, and croutons.

But... it's SO awesome just to use as a bread dip.  Especially garlic bread.

Try not to eat it with a spoon, but I won't judge if you do.  I may have been known to lick the spoon while making it...


Olive Garden Salad Dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon vegetable or canola oil
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3-4 tablespoons sugar (add more if desired)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Whisk until well mixed.  Or put all ingredients in a tupperware bowl, secure the lid, and shake until mixed.

Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting the All-Natural-Mama blog, home to Wishful Acres Organic Garden!