Signature pasta salad: The secret sauce that steals the show

Pasta salad is a hit at every party, but it's also perfect for a satisfying dinner. Preparing it is simple and quick, making it ideal for when there's not enough time to spend at the stove cooking for long. Everyone enjoys it without exception. Since I served it for the first time, no gathering with friends or family feels complete without it.

I remember preparing this salad for the first time; guests couldn't tear themselves away from the table. It disappeared in the blink of an eye, and since then, it has been my go-to recipe for every occasion. The secret of the taste lies in the sauce - it's not just regular mayonnaise or yogurt.

Pasta salads are a great playground for creativity. You can experiment with different types of pasta, as well as add-ins like cherry tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, or mayonnaise sauce. However, I prefer the version with chicken, bell pepper, cucumber, and tomatoes. Tartar sauce gives it a creamy consistency and a distinctive taste. It's this that made everyone fall in love with this seemingly simple combination.

Ingredients:

• 1 package of pasta,
• 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil,
• 2 chicken breasts,
• 1 red bell pepper,
• 1 green bell pepper,
• 1 yellow bell pepper,
• 1 greenhouse cucumber,
• a dozen cherry tomatoes,
• 1 teaspoon of mustard,
• chicken seasoning,
• salt and pepper to taste.

Tartar Sauce:

• about 140 grams of mayonnaise,
• about 60 grams of plain yogurt,
• 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard,
• 1 teaspoon of grated horseradish,
• 2 pickles, finely chopped,
• 2 tablespoons of chopped marinated mushrooms or capers,
• 1 tablespoon of chopped red onion,
• 1 clove of garlic, minced,
• salt and pepper to taste.

Method of Preparation:

1. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package.
2. Drain and mix with the olive oil.
3. Cut the chicken into cubes, season it, and fry it in a small amount of oil.
4. Add to the pasta and mix.
5. Slice the peppers into strips, the cucumber into cubes, and cut the tomatoes in half.
6. Add the vegetables to the pasta with chicken.
7. Prepare the sauce. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, yoghurt, mustard, and horseradish.
8. Add chopped pickles, capers, red onion, and minced garlic to the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Add the sauce to the remaining ingredients and mix.

Set aside the prepared salad in the refrigerator for at least an hour for the flavours to meld. Enjoy!