taste of tuesday: summer pasta salad with citrus herb dressing

I have referenced this salad many times and have received many request for the recipe (which originally came from Brit), but I don't have it written down anywhere. I realized this yesterday when I went to make it for our Memorial Day BBQ. So, I tho't I'd share it and get it on paper (and ready for print) so I can easily find it next time I want to make it.

Summer Pasta Salad with Citrus Herb Dressing

Ingredients:

Salad:

• 1 package pasta, any kind, cooked, drained & cooled (I like to use the tri-color spiral pasta)
• matchstick carrots
• red bell pepper, chopped
• cauliflower, chopped
• cherry tomatoes
• broccoli, chopped
• black olives
• fresh basil, chopped
• cucumbers, peeled & diced
• baby spinach
• feta cheese

*all veggie amounts are as desired and are optional (I've never used the fresh basil or cucumbers b/c there is SO much in this salad already)

Dressing (mix in quart jar)

• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup GOOD orange juice
• 1 1/2 TBSP onion salt
• 1 TBSP garlic salt
• 1 TBSP thyme
• 1/2 TBSP rosemary (I don't use this-not a huge fan)
• 1/2 TBSP basil
• 1/2 tsp. dill seed

shake until sugar is dissolved. add enough olive oil to fill quart jar. (this makes A LOT and you don't need it all for the salad-use leftovers for a spinach salad or marinade)

Directions:

Mix all salad ingredients except fresh basil, cucumbers, spinach and feta cheese. toss with dressing, adding a little at a time. I do this a few hours before I serve it b/c I find it soaks in the flavor of the delicious dressing. add the last 4 ingredients just before serving.