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…………………..Recently, when the temperatures soared into the 90s, I was inspired to make “SUMMER SALADS”…..all from Jac’s receipts……..I made a PASTA SALAD with BARILLA TRI COLORI RIGATONI. al dente [you can substitute TORTELLINI too], multi color CHERRY TOMATOES cut in half, PITTED BLACK OLIVES….STEAMED BROCOLI, on the crisp side [you don’t want them mushy!]…a diced RED PEPPER [optional]……MOZZARELLA BALLS….1/2 to 3/4 cups of OLIVE OIL….1/4 to 1/2 cup RED WINE VINEGAR…..and I like to add PAUL NEWMAN’S YESTY ITALIAN DRESSING…mix it all up…You can add a little salt and pepper to taste…I let it cool and cover with saran wrap…a CUCUMBER SALAD…..I take four large cucumbers, cut the long ways down the center, and scoop out the seeds…..Then I slice them about 1/4 inch thick and put them in a bowl. Next I salt them and take another bowl filled with water and place it on top of the sliced cucumbers. I press the water filled bowl down on the cucumbers, and let it sit for at least one hour. This helps the cucumbers to “sweat”, and get rid of excess water. Then I drain the cucumbers in a strainer….I then, in a sauce pant, put 1/2 cup WATER and one cup of DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR with a 1/2 cup of SUGAR. I bring the liquid to a boil stirring to dissolve the sugar…then pour the boiling liquid over the cucumbers….I add one small finely chopped RED ONION, some fresh minced DILL, mix it all up and let it all cool. Then I cover with saran wrap…….The THREE BEAN SALAD…..I take one can of CUT STRING BEANS, rinse them in a strainer, and put them in a large bowl. I do the same thing with one can of CHICK PEAS, and RED KIDNEY BEANS…..I add one bunch of finely chopped SCALLIONS, and a finely chopped RED PEPPER…..Then I pour one cup VEGTABLE OIL…..one cup APPLE CIDER VINEGAR….1/4 cup SUGAR, and mix it well…..Cover with saran…..I then put all of the salads into the refrigerator…..If you make them in the morning you can serve them in the evening….but……it’s best to let them sit in the refrigerator over night so the flavors can really meld together!…….There’s nothing like cool summer salads to have as a meal or serve as side dishes!