Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad is SUMMERTIME!  This makes a huge bowl full.  It is the combination of a few different recipes.  One is from Aaron McCargo, Jr (Big Daddy) and the other is from Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) and one is from my friend Melissa.  I mixed them all together to make my own!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. elbow macaroni
• 1 t. salt
• 6 boiled eggs, chopped
• 4 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 small Vidalia onion, finely chopped
• 2 cucumbers, diced
• ¼ C. sweet relish
• ½ lb. of ham, cut into cubes
• ½ lb. of Colby jack cheese, cut into cubes
• 1 C. mayonnaise
• ¼ C. sugar
• ¼ C. apple cider vinegar
• 1 T. Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning
• ½ T. kosher salt
• 1 T. Crystal hot sauce
• 1 T. Worcestershire sauce 

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil with the salt and add the pasta and as soon as it returns to boil, remove from the heat and allow the pasta to soak for 20 minutes (DO NOT open the cover to stir)
2. Drain the pasta
3. In a large bowl, add the pasta, eggs, green onions, Vidalia onion, and cucumbers
4. Combine the last 7 ingredients in a bowl and whisk
5. Pour the dressing over the other ingredients and refrigerate overnight
6. Serve the next day

Tips and Tricks:

• Many types of pasta can be used for this “pasta salad”.  I used the small sea shells, but rotini or bow ties will work as well.
• Follow my link to find out how I boil eggs.  Yes, there is a trick to it.