Simple Pasta Salad.

 Summer picnics and potlucks almost always feature pasta salad. However, there’s one problem with most pasta salads at a picnic – they’re made with mayo. Which requires refrigeration. Enter Simple Pasta Salad – like other pasta salads, it has a great summer flavor and comes together quickly. Unlike other pasta salads, it doesn’t contain mayonnaise and can sit on the picnic table until everyone has had their fill (if it lasts that long).

• ¼ cup Simply Salsa™ Mix
• 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes or 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 2-3 Tbsp. olive oil
• 8 oz. bowtie pasta, prepared and cooled
• 15 oz. can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• 6-8 oz. block Cheddar cheese, cubed
• 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
• ½ cup sliced black olives
• Sour cream
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Combine first 3 ingredients; chill 2 hours. One hour before serving, place next 5 ingredients in a large bowl; add Simply Salsa mixture. Toss to blend; refrigerate until served. Garnish with sour cream and cilantro. Makes 8-10 servings.

Bacon Bacon BLT

But you know what everyone loves? BACON! So, as a compromise, I serve Bacon Bacon BLTs. They have twice the bacon flavor for people who wish they were eating a bacon sandwich. And I can add an extra slice of tomato (or two, or four extra slices) to my sandwich to maximize the tomato-y goodness of summer. And, since everyone is individualizing their sandwich, just slice the bread and tomato, cook the bacon, make the Bacon Bacon Dip and set it all on the table – perfect for busy summer nights, and you can even serve sandwiches on paper plates with a side of chips (with the already-made Bacon Bacon Dip) for easy clean-up!

• 1 Tbsp. Bacon Bacon™
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 8 slices Bountiful Beer Bread Mix^®
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 8 slices cooked bacon
• Leaf lettuce

Combine first 3 ingredients; chill 2 hours. Spread 2 slices of Bountiful Beer Bread (toasted if desired) with Bacon Bacon mixture; top with tomatoes, bacon and lettuce to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining slices of bread and toppings. Makes 4 sandwiches.