The Ultimate Creamy Chilled Seafood Pasta Salad

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 10
• 12 -16 ounces shell pasta, cooked (measured dry)
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 lbs imitation crabmeat, chunks (or use real crab or shrimp)
• 1 -2 teaspoon lemon zest, minced small
• fresh lemon juice (1 to 2 squeezes)
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, with leaves thinly sliced
• 1 cup broccoli floret, broken up (cooked al dente)
• 6 small dill pickles, slivered
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon capers, finely minced
• 2 -3 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup spanish olives, chopped
• 2 -4 dashes garlic powder
• 2 -3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese cubes
• 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• salt & pepper, to taste
• lettuce leaf, for garnish

Recipe

• 1 mix ingredients in order given; season to taste with salt & pepper.
• 2 garnish with chopped chives and lemon wedges. cover and keep refrigerated until serving time.
• 3 best chilled for 6 to 8 hours to allow flavors to marry.
• 4 serve well chilled, atop a bed of crisp salad greens.
• 5 a lovely light summertime main-dish, or starter. serve this salad well-chilled with a crusty baguette, butter, and a good bottle of wine (such as chablis).