CREAMY GREEK-STYLE PASTA SALAD

Makes 8-10 servings

Plan ahead ~ this salad needs to chill for at least 4 hours before serving. Once you make this a few times you will most likely need to play around with the dressing ingredients to suit taste. You may need to adjust the mayo amount to desired creaminess after the salad is mixed.
From www.recipezaar.com

ingredients

1 lb dry rotini pasta
1 small cucumber (peeled, seeded and chopped)
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 small red onion, chopped (or use 5-6 green onion, chopped)
1/2 C sliced kalamata olives
1 1/2 C cubed feta cheese (you will need more for the dressing)
salt (to taste)
fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

DRESSING

1 fresh garlic clove (or use 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
1/2 C olive oil
1/4 C crumbled feta cheese
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp dried oregano (or use 2 tsp Greek seasoning in place of oregano and basil)
1/4 tsp dried basil
1 tsp sugar
1/3 C mayonnaise (more if needed mixed in the salad at the end)

directions

1
1. Cook the pasta in boiling water until al dente; drain then rinse well under cold water.
2
2. Place the pasta in a large bowl. Add cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, olives and cubed feta cheese; toss to combine.
3
3. For the dressing: in a processor place the garlic clove and process until minced.
4
4. Add in all other dressing ingredients except the mayonnaise; process until well blended (abut 20-30 seconds). Then add in the mayonnaise and process until combined.
5
5. Pour over the salad ingredients in the bowl; toss to combine (if you prefer a creamier salad then add in more mayonnaise to taste).
6
6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.