side dish to pass

Here's an easy Salsa Pasta Salad.
The longer it sits (your 3 hr drive), the better it tastes!
Original Recipe Yield 11 servings
Ingredients

2 cups dry rainbow radiatore pasta
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives
3 tomatoes, diced
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
Directions

In a large pot with boiling salted water cook radiatore pasta until al dente. Drain.
Meanwhile, combine chopped onion, bell pepper, olives, tomatoes, and green chilies in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, cilantro, garlic salt, lemon juice, vegetable oil, sugar and chili powder.
Mix cooked pasta with vegetables. Toss with cilantro dressing and serve.
Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 178 | Total Fat: 12.2g | Cholesterol: 0mg

I bring texas caviar. The recipe follows. Get unsalted hominy and black eyed peas.

Texas Caviar Recipe
Southern Living

1 (15 oz) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 (15-1/2 oz) can white hominy, drained
2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
4 green onions, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced (I used 4)
1 medium-size onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 (8-oz) jar picante sauce (I used salsa)
2 tablespoons lime juice (optional)

Combine first 9 ingredients, and, if desired, lime juice.

Cover and chill at least 2 hours. Serve with tortilla chips,