basil pasta salad

'Tis the season for barbecues and cookouts and carry-in gatherings with loved ones.  I don't have to wonder what to bring anymore.  It's this.  An old dish I love, but even more so, de-glutenized...

basil pasta salad

1 pound fusilli pasta (I use trader joe's brown rice pasta)

1/4 cup roasted red peppers, cut into strips

1/4 - 1/2 cup kalamata olives, chopped 

1/2 cup cheese (feta, or grated asiago, or grated parmesan)

You could leave it as this, or improvise, depending on what you have:

1/2 cup spinach, chopped

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup hard salami, cut into strips

thin slices of red onion 

thin slices of green pepper

Dressing:

2 cups basil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 clove garlic

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup olive oil, approximately

Cook pasta according to package directions.  While pasta is cooking, make dressing:  Add all ingredients except the olive oil to the blender.  Blend well, then drizzle in olive oil, and mix until well-blended.  Toss cooked pasta with dressing.  Add desired amenities, and toss.  Enjoy a hearty, summer-savory gluten-free dish!  Make it a side dish, and if you have any leftovers (lucky you :), it makes a yummy lunch the next day (the rice pasta is best warmed a bit).

We feasted yesterday, in honor of the fathers.  (Not pictured: watermelon and chocolate cheesecake)

We were excited to have Andy's parents with us, all the way from Brazil.  

The night before, we were pulling out pictures of our dads, to place on the table (thanks to Ang for the idea!)  

Our boys are blessed with some great footsteps to follow in.  

Fathers who love and follow after Jesus.  

Fathers who cherish their families, working hard to provide for them.

Fathers who have so much else to do, yet choose to be with their kids.

Fathers who stick it out in hard times, reassuring his wife that we're a team, in this together....even 3 months of colic.

Fathers strengthened through the hard times, rejoicing in the good!

Fathers who adore their children, enjoying the opportunity for a Father's Day backyard soccer match.

It's a fallen world, and no father is perfect.
But I am so thankful our dads taught us very young that there is a Father who never fails.  We can trust Him, no matter what.   There is a Father whose character is flawless and whose name is love.  He is a Father to the father-less, and He will never leave or forsake you.  

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save,

He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3.17

Thank you, dads, for loving us well, for pointing us to Him.