12. Pasta Salad with an Unexpectedly Perfect Topping
Plus a Mother's Day gift guide and welcoming May with open arms
Hi friends! For those of you living on the East Coast, I’m sure you joined me in a collective sigh of gratitude and relief for the break in rain we finally got last week. The sun has been shining, flowers and trees are blooming, and I even sent Ashton to school in shorts one day! My favorite flower stand up the road is bursting with tulips, freshly cut from the florist’s own garden, so my kitchen is filled with the vibrant hues of spring. And while my favorite season is on the horizon, I’ve been drinking in every last bit of spring, one of the most fleeting and gorgeous times here in Mass.
May is shaping up to be a busy month. We have Greek Easter this Sunday, Mother’s Day next weekend, (kid-free!) plans with friends a couple weekends in a row, and even a quick (and also kid-free) trip to Florida at the end of the month to celebrate Jon’s grandma’s 96th birthday!!! Can you believe that? She happens to be born the day before me, so our annual visit to see her always overlaps with my birthday. I will never complain about this given I’m a tropical weather girl at heart and I live for the beach, mid-day rain storms, and fried plantains being a staple on nearly every restaurant menu. There’s regular Alex and then there’s vacation Alex, and if I could choose one to be for the rest of my life, well…
I'm confident that your mom will enjoy and actually use these gifts, especially if she likes to cook, drink tea, garden, or pamper herself at home. Most of these I own, use, and enjoy daily, and the ones I don't are things I'd be happy to receive. All should arrive on time if you order soon. I hope she loves them!
Loose Leaf Tea Pot // Loose Leaf Tea Set // Le Creuset Dutch Oven // Cheese Knives // Bench Scraper // Brightland The Duo Olive Oil Set // Upcycled Cotton Kitchen Towels // Barebones Pruners // Gardening Basket // Barebones Garden Hoe // Barebones Garden Shovel // Barebones Cultivator // Ice Roller // Tower 28 Lip Gloss // Illuminating Nail Concealer // Wildling Empress Gua Sha Stone
If Mom is a cookbook collector, here are three of my favorites, plus two others you may recognize. All would make a great addition to one of the gifts above.
Food52 Genius Recipes // Ottolenghi Simple // Bread Toast Crumbs
Cooking with the Seasons features 20 recipes perfect for daily meals, celebrations, and more. Yiayia’s Greek Sweets features all of my Yiayia Sophia’s Greek and Cretan desserts. It includes family faves like Baklava, Tsoureki, and Diples.
* I may earn a small commission when you purchase through one of my links - thank you!
Find My Cookbooks at These Massachusetts Retail Locations
Langwater Farm in North Easton
The Greek Cultural Center in Springfield
As my kids get older and our schedules get more hectic, I find myself leaning into quick and easy meals that can become lunch, dinner, or a snack, depending on your mood that day. And I really love something that can be made in a huge batch and kept for days in the fridge.
Growing up my mom always used to make a cold pasta salad that had tuna and peas in it. Now I know why! It checks all of the boxes above and it’s delicious. Instead of only frozen peas, mine includes a seasonal ingredient that adds a crunch and sweetness I know you’ll love. The dressing has a 2:1 ratio of low-fat yogurt to mayo, and uses fresh herbs and a few other aromatics to update a ‘90s classic. I think you can probably guess the topping by looking at the picture, but let's just say this ingredient is no longer sitting on the bench alongside your tuna sandwich. She's a star!
Pasta Salad with Tuna & Peas
Makes: 8-10 servings
Active time: 30 minutes
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