Easy Warm Weather Dinner (or Brunch)

I enjoy a cold pasta salad during warm months.  This is an easy recipe and can be made the day before.

Tuna and Cranberry Pasta Salad

1 large can of albacore tuna packed in water (drained)
8 ounces of cooked pasta shells
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup minced onion
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries or cherries
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
2 cups Hellman's or Best Foods Mayonnaise



Mix all ingredients together.  Add more mayonnaise if necessary.  Chill at least an hour before serving.
 
Serve with fresh fruit.  I also serve my favorite banana muffin recipe with this salad.  I posted the recipe in February, but am re posting it below. 

Note: if you omit the pasta, you can use this for a tuna salad and serve as a sandwich.  Another option is to substitute a cup of left over chicken.

Serves 6-8

Banana Date Nut Muffins

1 cup sugar                                                                                       1 tsp baking soda

½ cup margarine                                                                            1 Tblsp water

1 cup mashed bananas                                                                1 ½ cups all purpose flour

1 tsp vanilla                                                                                      8 oz. chopped dates

½ tsp nutmeg                                                                                  1 cup chopped nuts

½ tsp cinnamon

Dissolve the soda in the water, set aside. Cream margarine and sugar, add eggs mixing well with beaters. From this point on, use a wooden spoon. Stir in spices, vanilla, salt, soda and water. Add flour, dates and nuts and stir until just blended.

Line muffin pans with cupcake papers. Fill 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. They should be lightly browned on top. One batch makes about 16 cupcake sized muffins.

Tip: for muffins and quick breads, mix in dry ingredients by hand until everything is blended. If you mix until everything looks smooth, the results with be rubbery.