Hawaiian Pasta Salad

This is an easy everyday side dish that everyone will enjoy. It goes well with other Hawaiian dishes like pulled pork and huli huli chicken. You may add other ingredients to it if you have them on hand, for example mandarin orange slices, bacon crumbles, hard boiled egg, peas, or macadamia nut pieces. If adding much to what is given below, increase the amount of pasta.

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 8 Oz uncooked elbow macaroni

• 1 1/2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

• 2 cups cubed ham

• 14 Oz pineapple chunks, drained and juice reserved for dressing

• 1 red pepper, chopped and deseeded

• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced into matchsticks

• 2 green onions, sliced

• salt and pepper to taste

• For the pineapple dressing: 1/2 cup reduced fat mayonnaise, 1/4 cup pineapple juice, 1/2 tsp dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions (al dente).

2. While pasta is cooking, make the dressing by adding all ingredients and wishing together. Refrigerate.

3. Drain pasta when done, put in a large bowl, and mix in 1 1/2 tsp olive oil.

4. Add ham, pineapple chunks, red pepper, carrot matchsticks, green onion slices, salt and pepper.

5. Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for 20 minutes (or longer if not ready to serve).

6. To serve, scoop into bowls and allow each guest to mix in their own dressing.