Pasta salad

it is summer and i am getting requests for my pasta salad which i served for our 4th of July picnic
(I also served the lobster salad).
This also celebrates the fresh herbs and vegetables i grow

Pasta Salad

·      1 lb elbow macaroni

·      1/2 cup fresh celery, diced

·      1/2 red onion, chopped fine and sautéed in olive oil

·      1/4 cup parsley, chopped fine

·      1/8 red pepper, diced

·      1/4 teaspoon black pepper

·      1/4 teaspoon dry hot pepper

·      1/2 cup mayonnaise

·      1/2 tablespoon deli mustard

·      salt to taste and for the pasta water

·      1 teaspoon fresh Thyme, minced

·      1 tablespoon olive oil

·      1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt

                (this cuts the richness of the mayo)

·      1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

·      1/2 cup bacon, crisped and crumbled

cook the pasta to your desired tenderness in salted water (like the sea)

while cooking the pasta, mix all the other ingredients together

drain pasta and add, while hot, to the mixture and stir

refrigerate and serve cold with additional chopped parsley and/or chopped chives