Trinidad Macaroni Salad

“Trinidad macaroni salad is the perfect side dish to accompany your favorite baked or BBQ protein and seafood. It’s loaded with flavor! “

A few weekends ago, the beautiful lavender-hued chive blossoms in my garden inspired me to create a colorful and delicious macaroni salad. 

Prior to their blooming, I didn’t know chive flowers were edible.  They enhance many dishes, including salads, soups and omelets. Curious and excited, I ate one of these pretty flowers. They tasted of chives but milder.  Chive flowers taste like chives! What a revelation.
 
Trinidad Macaroni Salad
 

 

 

 

 

I vary the ingredients each time I prepare macaroni salad, but one thing remains constant–lots of crunchy vegetables to provide a good balance of pasta and vegetables.

I intended to post only a picture of the macaroni salad along with the progression of the blossoms..but I decided to include the recipe here, just in case you were curious…and just in case I don’t remember how to cook in the future…

Trinidad macaroni salad
 
Do you have those uninspired and exhausting days when creativity has diminished and you struggle to decide what to cook? You stand in front of the refrigerator, stare at it for too long…ask your hubbie for suggestions and he responds with the irritating “anything”…and you return to the fridge with a confused expression, hoping that inspiration would miraculously appear the second time. I’ve had many such days.
 
Because I am who I am, there is a great possibility that I may need to refer to this recipe….I now blog…to log…to inspire myself in the future.
On weekends, during the warmer months, I prepare a few side dishes on Saturday mornings, “marinate/season” my meats and/or seafood, and keep it “on standby” in the refrigerator. My hubby does the grilling or tries his darndest, and I relax (and supervise), instead of hassling myself to cook. This makes meal time and cleanup a breeze. We keep it simple and the meal is ready in minutes.
 
 
BTW, as you may have guessed, my idea of relaxing is spending hours in my garden taking pictures of flowers….My neighbors probably think I have serious issues, but I believe in doing what makes me happy.
 
SERVINGS SUGGESTIONS FOR TRINIDAD MACARONI SALAD:
We enjoyed this Trinidad macaroni salad several times with grilled steak, bbq chicken, BBQ ribs, cornbread, coleslaw, grilled vegetables, and a salad.  There was more than adequate to share with a few neighbors, so keep in mind that it makes a large amount. It’s a great side dish to bring to family picnics, potlucks, BBQs or parties.
[Stunning purple blossom]
Trinidad macaroni salad
 
 
Trinidad macaroni salad

 

Gluten Free Trinidad Macaroni Salad: Use brown rice, whole grain pasta, or other gluten-free pasta for a healthier alternative to regular pasta.
Vegan Trinidad Macaroni Salad: Use organic veganese, but if that’s not appealing to you, use the regular brand or make your own.
Trinidad Macaroni Salad

 

Make this recipe your own by adjusting the ingredients to your preference.
If you are not using chive flowers, increase the amount of chives(or scallions, parsley) you use.

 

Trinidad Macaroni Salad RECIPE

Serves 8-10, as a side dish

INGREDIENTS YOU WILL NEED:
  • elbow pasta 
  • Himalayan salt
  • butter or olive oil
  • carrots, cubed or grated (grated is easier!) (2 cups grated)
  • celery stalks, finely diced (1/2 cup)
  • red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced (1/2 cup)
  • red onion (1 medium)
  • pimento peppers, finely chopped, optional
  • mayonnaise
  • yellow mustard
  • white vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • ground nutmeg
  • black pepper, freshly ground
  • chives (or scallion or parsley)
  • chive flowers (optional)

 

Make in 5 Easysteps:

  1. Cook and drain pasta
  2. Make mayo dressing
  3. Mix in chopped veggies and dressing
  4. Taste and add salt if required. 
  5. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Enjoy cold! 

OTHER RECIPES YOU WILL LOVE:

Trinidad Macaroni Pie

Trinidad Stewed Chicken with Macaroni 

Trinidad Stewed Chicken 

BBQ Lamb – Oven or grill 

 

  • WP Recipe Maker #4937remove Trinidad Macaroni Salad We enjoy this macaroni salad several times over the summer with grilled steak, chicken, bbq ribs, grilled vegetables and a salad.  There is always more than adequate to share with a few neighbors and a great side dish to bring to family picnics, potlucks, bbqs or parties. Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish Cuisine: American, Caribbean Keyword: macaroni salad, pasta salad Prep Time: 10m Cook Time: 12m Servings: 12 – 1 lb elbow pasta 16 oz – 1 tablespoon Himalayan salt – 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil – 2 medium carrots cubed or grated (grated is easier!) (2 cups grated) – 2 celery stalks finely diced (1/2 cup) – 1 red bell pepper seeded and finely diced (1/2 cup) – ½ cup chopped red onion 1 medium – 2 fresh pimento peppers finely chopped, optional – 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise – 2 tablespoons yellow mustard – 3 tablespoons white vinegar – 3 tablespoons brown sugar – 1 tablespoon garlic powder – 1 teaspoon onion powder – 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg ground – 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground – 4 tablespoons chopped parsley chives, scallion or parsley – 2 tablespoons chive flowers optional – Salt to taste 1) Cook pasta according to package instructions—adding 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water if not in instructions. 2) Drain pasta in a colander. Add 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil. Mix. Cool. 3) In a large bowl combine mayo, mustard, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg and black pepper. 4) Add in carrots, celery, onion, bell pepper, pimento pepper, parsley(or substitute) and pasta. 5) Mix to combine. Taste and add salt if required. 6) Garnish with chive flowers or scallions. 7) Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Enjoy cold! Gluten Free: Use brown rice, whole grain or other gluten free pasta for a healthier alternative to regular pasta. Vegan: Use organic veganese, but if that’s not appealing to you, use the regular brand or make your own. calories 376 carbohydrates 35 protein 6 fat 24 saturated_fat 5 polyunsaturated_fat 13 monounsaturated_fat 5 trans_fat 0.1 cholesterol 17 sodium 818 potassium 201 fiber 2 sugar 6 vitamin_a 3056 vitamin_c 16 calcium 27 iron 1  
  • Trinidad Macaroni Salad
 
Trinidad macaroni salad

 

Hope you enjoy my pics as much as I love capturing their delicate details…and intrinsic beauty…..
“I believe you should always do what makes you happy”…
Have a great week ahead,
With love….always,
Ria 
 

 



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