Pasta Salad

This inventive salad is a terrific addition to any summer buffet. For this party, also prepare red cabbage coleslaw, or buy some at the market or a take-out spot.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

An Asian take on pasta salad. Soba, or Japanese buckwheat noodles, have a brown-gray color and nutty flavor.

This versatile salad can also be made with leftover beef, lamb or chicken.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

This salad's delicious dressing is popular with my children as a dip for vegetables (I make a bottle of it to keep in the refrigerator). The salad is great for lunch boxes, or as a side dish served warm or cold. Use three-color pasta, if possible. Preparation: 10 minutes/Cooking: 12 minutes Nutritional information: Rich source of beta-carotene, fiber, and folic acid

Serve this as a side dish, or add some cooked shrimp or chicken for a main course. Look for the sesame oil in the Asian foods section of the supermarket.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Pick up a rotisserie chicken at the market, or use leftovers to keep the preparation easy.

Here's a summer salad with robust flavors.

Light, refreshing and beautiful.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

For extra eye appeal, use tricolor pasta in this fresh-from-the-garden salad.

For a nice picnic, pack up this salad (chill it well first), some bread and wine.

The dressing can also be used for Chinese chicken salad or as a basting sauce for grilled steaks or chops. Look for rice vinegar in the Asian foods section of the supermarket.

Arugula replaces lettuce in this clever pasta dish. Serve with: Whole-wheat breadsticks and carrot sticks with blue cheese dip. Dessert: Cherry-vanilla ice cream cones.

Crisp broccoli and a creamy blue cheese dressing give new life to pasta salad.

Carey Paquette of Arlington, Virginia, writes: "When it comes to cooking, I make an effort to prepare healthful meals, but wouldn't call myself a fanatic. I believe that olive oil goes in everything and wine goes with everything; I just use them in moderation."