Ingredients:

• For the Salad:
  • 1 can of tuna, drained and flaked
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Dressing:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Using the Thinkkitchen Parma Pro Pasta and Noodle Maker, create the penne pasta:
   a. Gather the ingredients for the pasta dough, including 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3 large eggs, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
   b. Add the flour, eggs, and salt directly into the machine’s mixing chamber.
   c. Follow the instructions provided with the Thinkkitchen Parma Pro Pasta and Noodle Maker to create the pasta dough. The machine will knead and mix the ingredients, resulting in a smooth pasta dough.
   d. Once the dough is ready, switch the machine to the pasta extrusion mode, and select the penne macaroni.
   e. As the machine extrudes the dough, carefully cut the macaroni pasta into bite-sized pieces using a knife or pasta cutter.
   
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni pasta until al dente. This usually takes around 8-10 minutes, but the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the pasta. Drain the cooked pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down. Drain the cooked macaroni and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Place the macaroni in a large mixing bowl and set it aside to cool.
   
3. Prepare the Dressing and Assemble the Salad:
   • In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Adjust the seasonings according to your preference.
   • To the cooled macaroni, add flaked tuna, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and chopped parsley. Gently toss the ingredients together until they are evenly distributed.
   • Pour the dressing over the macaroni salad mixture. Use a spoon or spatula to gently fold the dressing into the salad until everything is coated evenly. Adjust the amount of dressing based on your desired level of creaminess.
4. Chill and Serve:
   • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to a covered container.
   • Refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
   • Serve the cold macaroni salad chilled, and garnish with additional parsley, if desired.
     
     There’s no better way to celebrate National Macaroni Day than by preparing a refreshing and flavorful cold macaroni salad using freshly made macaroni. With the help of the Thinkkitchen Parma Pro Pasta and Noodle Maker, you can effortlessly create homemade macaroni that elevates this dish to the next level. By combining the macaroni with tuna, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley, you’ll have a delightful medley of textures and tastes in every bite. Enjoy this satisfying macaroni salad and savor the goodness of this classic dish. Happy National Macaroni Day!
     

Ingredients:

• Freshly made penne pasta (using the Thinkkitchen Parma Pro Pasta and Noodle Maker)

For the salad:

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

For the dressing:

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Using the Thinkkitchen Parma Pro Pasta and Noodle Maker, create the penne pasta:
   a. Gather the ingredients for the pasta dough, including 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3 large eggs, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
   b. Add the flour, eggs, and salt directly into the machine’s mixing chamber.
   c. Follow the instructions provided with the Thinkkitchen Parma Pro Pasta and Noodle Maker to create the pasta dough. The machine will knead and mix the ingredients, resulting in a smooth pasta dough.
   d. Once the dough is ready, switch the machine to the pasta extrusion mode, and select the penne shape.
   e. As the machine extrudes the dough, carefully cut the penne pasta into bite-sized pieces using a knife or pasta cutter.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. This usually takes around 8-10 minutes, but the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the pasta. Drain the cooked pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down. Set it aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, black olives, feta cheese, fresh basil leaves, and fresh parsley.
4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create a tangy dressing.
5. Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
6. Add the cooled homemade penne pasta to the bowl and toss again to combine. Ensure that the pasta is well-coated with the dressing and mixed with the vegetables.
7. Let the pasta salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
8. Once chilled, give the salad a final toss and serve it as a refreshing and satisfying summer meal or a delightful side dish.

Thanks to the Thinkkitchen Parma Pro Pasta and Noodle Maker, creating your own homemade penne pasta has never been easier. This cold pasta salad recipe showcases the versatility of the machine while allowing you to savor the freshness and flavor of homemade pasta. Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering or simply craving a light and delicious meal, this recipe is sure to impress. The convenience of the Thinkkitchen Parma Pro Pasta and Noodle Maker eliminates the need for pre-made pasta dough, making the process even simpler. Give it a try, and experience the joy of making and enjoying a homemade penne pasta salad that will leave everyone asking for seconds. With its vibrant colors, enticing textures, and delightful flavors, this refreshing pasta salad is bound to become a staple in your summer recipe collection. Get ready to savor every bite and embrace the true essence of the season.

Though it may be August, summer is far from over. The sun is still beaming and opportunities for outdoor dining are still at their peak! The cooler evenings might mean you need an extra sweater or blanket to throw over your shoulders, but it just gives us all the more reason to snuggle up closer with our loved-ones and friends! The chance for a picnic is still well within your grasp, and luckily, we’re here to help you plan and make sure you have everything you need for a romantic evening dinning outside or a perfect daytime adventure with the kids.

If you missed it, our blog post What to Take on a Picnic: Tips and Easy Recipes had tons of great picnic pointers for packing, transporting and making your menu, but we thought we could give you even more ideas because we think picnics are one of the best things about summer! Why not venture out for more than one? In fact, there are so many outdoor sporting events, concerts, fairs and festivals all summer long that there are probably more opportunities for picnics than you could possibly take advantage of!  So, this week we have more recipes for you to take on your picnic and (can you believe it?!) another cute way for you to transport your essential outdoor dining tools. We partnered up with Gabrielle Pellerin, the blogger and recipe developer behind A Simple Thyme, to plan a second picnic meal packed to perfection in our Trident Picnic Basket. It doesn’t get more convenient than this 22 piece basket which is complete with all of your picnic essentials: a setting for 4 that includes plates, wine glasses, forks, knives, spoons and even a wine bottle opener! With the Trident Picnic Basket, outdoor dining is a breeze!

So let’s get down to business. It’s not a great picnic without an absolutely scrumptious menu to bite into while you’re enjoying the lovely outdoors. With Gabrielle’s help, we’ve got two more mouth-watering recipes for you to prepare for your adventurous dining experience. The first is a fully-loaded smoked salmon sandwich with a parsley-caper pesto. Made with two types of cheese (goat cheese and cream cheese), cucumbers, sprouts, onions and lettuce packed between two slices of country bread, this sandwich is guaranteed to please. As for our second recipe, it will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth in a cute country-style kind of way. Even better than regular pie (because it fits in the palm of your hand) our blueberry hand pie recipe is just what you need to finish off your picnic! Just add in some crudités and crunchy chips to snack on in-between these two delights and you’ll be absolutely set for a delicious al fresco meal.

Make the most of the glorious summer days ahead and get planning your next picnic!

Helping you make the most of outdoor dining,

While studying restaurant management at the well known ITHQ, Gabrielle found her true passion for cooking. When she posted a few innocent photos of her creations on Instagram, the community quickly welcomed her and she now has over 11 thousand followers. This recognition drove her to explore and create more than she had before. In addition to finding photos of her delicious recipes on her Instagram, she now shares her recipes on her culinary blog, A Simple Thyme.

Gabrielle does it all, from simple recipes to creating the ultimate comfort food meal, and it is always guaranteed to make your mouth water. If you want to see more, make sure to visit her blog and follow her Facebook and Instagram pages to never miss a recipe again!

Whether you are picturing this summertime classic as an extraordinary event for a big group of friends and family, or if you just want to make lunchtime a bit more thrilling for you and the kids at the park, there are some essential tips you can follow to make sure your outdoor meal is a success!

This week, we put together a small list of Picnic Pointers that will come in handy for any outdoor meal you are planning; big or small, in the backyard or on your mountain hike. But that’s not all! In collaboration with recipe developer and blogger Unsweetened Caroline, we suggest two easy recipes to take with you for your open-air dining event: an easy-to-toss-together Asparagus Pasta Salad with Goat Cheese and Lemon Vinaigrette, and deliciously sweet Sugar-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Thumbprint Cookies!

With Unsweetened Caroline’s delectable recipes and our great tips, eating outdoors will be a sure way to up your everyday fun level over the summer months!

Pointers:

1. Picnics should be a breeze!
   Don’t stress over planning them& just take it easy. The great thing about picnics is that they are informal and simple.
2. Be Prepared:
   Accessories like corkscrews and napkins are easy to forget and don’t grow on trees! Create an organized checklist of all the necessary items you’ll need!
3. Travel and Transport:
   Make sure you have a sturdy, cool, and spill-proof way to transport your food. A backpack might be necessary depending on how far you have to travel, but if your destination is close by, something whimsical like our Biscayne Picnic Basket could be just right! Better yet, it comes fully loaded with a service for 4, including a wine cork!
4. Avoid Fragile Food:
   Leave the frosted cakes at home. Cookies are an easy dessert that won’t fall apart and that don’t require any assembly at your destination. Plus, it will satisfy your sweet tooth just the same!
5. Feature Fresh Finger Food:
   Dishes that are easily served and consumed, perhaps by only using a fork or nothing at all, and that will hold up in the heat (try to avoid mayo) are perfect picnic choices. A fruit platter, for instance, is easy to share, a crowd pleaser and will keep foodies feeling refreshed!
6. Dismiss Dining Conventions:
   Drop the formalities and forget the fancy dinnerware. No need to plan separate courses, so let guests enjoy as they please! Lightweight reusable melamine dishes are the best way to go for dinnerware and are a good choice for the environment!
7. The Forecast is a Factor:
   Whether it be hot or cold, sunny or cloudy, the weather is a factor. Bring sunscreen or an extra cozy throw to cuddle up in–just in case! Place food that needs to stay cool in the shade and don’t forget about other outdoor necessities like bug spray or bug repellent candles!

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Here to help you prep a meal that is useful for a hike, convenient to take to an outdoor sports game, or to set the mood on a grassy hill at sunset,

Caroline is the photographer, writer and recipe developer behind Unsweetened Caroline, a food blog that features healthy, sugar-free recipes. In addition to being sugar-free, most of her recipes are vegetarian and can be made allergy-friendly. She created Unsweetened Caroline when recovering from a sugar addiction, in hopes of inspiring others. When she’s not cooking, she’s either hiking, practicing yoga or dreaming about new recipes.

Caroline is a soon-to-be dietitian living in Saint John, New Brunswick. You can follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or on her blog for more recipes!