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You'll love this salad with fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, lots of fresh basil, lightly dressed with olive oil, garlic, and lemon zest.
We’re back home after a wonderful week on the coast of South Carolina. With our daughter and her family living across the Atlantic in London, this time together in the summer is anticipated and dreamed of, all year long. We love just hanging out together, rain or shine, with no deadlines, no work schedules, and minimal stress. We stay at Debordieu, a lovely golf and beach community and perhaps the best-kept secret on the Carolina Coast.
For those who love a swinging, party lifestyle, Debordieu might be quite a bore, but for us, it’s a little slice of peaceful paradise. There are seemingly endless miles of white sandy beaches to walk, talk and play on, crystal clear waves, sometimes gently lapping, sometimes pounding the shore, dolphins dancing joyfully in the shimmering surf, no neon, never a crowd- oh, and besides all this there are miles upon miles of beautiful trails to bike in the early morning hours before the golfers are stirring - check out a few pictures of our last morning ride (and yes that is a REAL alligator!)
It may sound crazy, but even on vacation, I LOVE to cook. In fact, there’s almost nothing I enjoy more than having my family gathered around to share a yummy meal. While dinner might be a bit more involved, we usually eat a super simple lunch right on the beach, something light and fresh and easy to pack. Our favorite lunch this year was this Penne Pasta Salad with Fresh Mozzarella and Heirloom Tomatoes; uncomplicated and bursting with delicious summer flavor. Everyone loved it– when I opened the container at day’s end, there was nary a lone penne pasta nor a bite of tomato to be found!
Whether you’re on vacation or not, you'll LOVE this salad. I have the feeling it’ll become a repeat, requested visitor at your table. It’s truly the essence of the delightful but fleeting summer season; with fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, lots of fresh basil, lightly dressed with olive oil, garlic, and lemon zest Enjoy it now, before summer and all its glorious produce slips away!
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 pounds ripe tomatoes I love to use heirloom, a mix of yellow and red but any good summer tomato is fine, I have also used grape, cherry, small heirlooms, they all work great
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella drained if in brine and diced in ½ inch cubes
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup fresh basil finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- finely zested peel yellow part only from 1 medium lemon
- 1 teaspoon sea salt more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Farewell, lovely Debordieu ............... till we meet again! |
Jeannie says
What a beautiful place to visit, love your photos and the salad looks delicious and refreshing!
mia xara says
Love all your pictures,Chris!!! Looks like you had a great time vacationing with your family!The pasta salad looks ready to be devoured through my screen..lol..Have a good week 🙂
Vicki Bensinger says
Your trip sounds divine and how perfect to be able to spend it with your family. Your photos are wonderful. I especially love the one with the single duck in it.
There's nothing more satisfying IMO that a nice simple, light and fresh pasta salad.
As always, thanks for sharing your fun vacation and photos.
Vicki V @ blestnest.blogspot.com says
Beautiful grandchildren, gorgeous setting, and fabulous food. It doesn't get much better than that!
Asmita says
What a beautiful pasta salad! Full of flavor and so colorful!
I love the shot of the alligator in the lake.
Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Sounds like a wonderful meal in a very special location! (Minus the gator, of course.) Adorable pic of the girls:@)
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
Chris, beautiful photos... I didn't know alligators live as far north as Carolinas... Your salad is lovely. Is it a spicy globe basil on the top? 🙂
Sandra Lee says
Ahh, peace and quiet. Toss in a yummy salad and family and it is paradise.
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
What gorgeous photos Chris. I don't think I'd be so brave near an alligator.
I love the last one of the girls!
Looks like a delicious summer salad. I'll have to save it away for the warmer weather.
The Mom Chef says
The bowl looks like summer. I love the combination of flavors you put there. I'm going to have to look into Debordieu for us to visit sometime. Even though we prefer the mountains, sometimes a serene beach visit is just what the doctor ordered.
Pachecopatty says
Your lovely Summery pasta salad has my name written all over it! I love all your photos and would enjoy visiting a place you refer to as paradise!
The Café Sucré Farine says
Thanks Meredith and Kathy, you caught me! I slipped and forgot to add the lemon zest, it's fixed now!
Mary Hirsch says
I wondered where you vacationed, Chris, so thank you for giving us a tour of your Paradise. Your salad sounds simple but delicious. And, I agree, there is nothing like having your family around the table. My own family (all girls, too) just left, feeling a little lonely, but have all your salad ingredients on hand and will make a quick salad for a light dinner tonight. Again, thanks for sharing. Those little girls are darling.
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
Lovely pasta salad and wonderful vacation photos. You sold me on the place! No neon - oh yes please. No crowds? I'm there. Sounds perfect.
Meredith says
This salad looks great and the pictures of the beach are beautiful. I had one question about the salad. You mentioned lemon zest in the description, but it was not in the ingredients list. Should lemon zest be in there too? Thanks! I think that I will make this this week.
Kathy says
The salad looks delicious. Can't wait to try it! I noticed that you mentioned lemon zest in the description of the salad, but it is not listed as an ingrredient in the actual recipe. ...how much do you suggest?
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Your photos are gorgeous. I love the one with the alligator. Your Grand babies are so cute!!
The pasta looks amazing! This is truly my favorite kind of pasta!! I love the dish your serving the pasta on.
Hotly Spiced says
That looks so beautiful. What a great place for a holiday. You must have had such a great time with your daughter and grandchildren. It must have been so sad when the holiday came to an end. Beautiful looking pasta salad. I'll remember to try this when our weather warms up xx
Kate says
Beautiful...tranquil..plus, a lovely salad! We leave on vacation in a week..I can hardly wait.
lena says
i love the pictures of the trails too, the place looks very serene! what a colourful pasta salad, a truly summer dish and i'm sure i will also enjoy eating it!
Kim Garceau says
I understand what you mean, I too love to cook when I'm off the work... That's why I cook (and bake) a lot in summertime!!!! I love you pasta salad, Chris, this looks great, great!
Gloria says
Love this salad and the pictures are georgeus especiallu the kids photos:))
Sue/the view from great island says
What a lovely post, and a lovely salad. This vacation spot sounds like the ideal spot to spend precious time with your family.
Paula {Salad in a Jar} says
I want to go to this place. Sounds like the perfect vacation. But I need you to be there too and cook for us.
This salad really shows off the heirloom tomatoes. So beautiful.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
This is my kind of pasta salad, vibrant and fresh! I can practically taste it through the screen :). Beautiful photos of your vacation too!