Cheese in pasta salad--poll

Which cheese do you like the best in pasta salad?

Re: Cheese in pasta salad--poll

My favorite pasta salad is Tortellini with lots of Broccoli, sliced carrots, onions, tomatoes and bitty chunks of sharp cheddar tossed in while the pasta is still warm. Dress with a basil vinaigrette and VOILA!

It sounds weird.. but it tastes SO GOOD.

Re: Cheese in pasta salad--poll

it depends.

for tortellini or other stuffed pasta, i would do fresh mozzarella.

for rotini or other similar pasta, I would do any hard cheese.

provolone would be great with diced cured meats, sliced peppers (pepperoncini or peppadew-they pack a bit of heat) pitted olives, tomatoes, diced chilled broccoli rabe (steam for a few then sautee in tons of fresh garlic and olive oil, salt and pepper), sun dried tomatoes...

basically an antipasta, but with pasta

Re: Cheese in pasta salad--poll

I tend to make 2 different kinds of pasta salad.

The first is like Ophelia said......basically it is an antipasto salad. Provolone, cubes of meats, sundried tomatoes, olives, artichoke hearts etc. with rontini pasta and a homemade italian type dressing.

Another great one that my SIL makes and I finally learned how too......boil a small pot of olive oil LOADED with garlic (about 5 cloves per cup of garlic)
Use penne or ziti pasta and add cherry tomatoes cut in half, fresh basil and fresh mozzarella. Strain some of the garlic out of the oil and use that to dress the pasta. Simple but so good. I like to serve it room temp.

Re: Cheese in pasta salad--poll

I always use romano (Locatelli)

Re: Cheese in pasta salad--poll

crumbled feta