Food Friday >> Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

Cheers to the first cooking post of the year! I'm really excited to share this recipe with you all -- it's one of my favorite pasta dishes because it's easy to make, healthy, and fresh. Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients
2 (Dry) Pints Grape Tomatoes
8 oz. Fresh Mozzarella (Pearl Size)
2-3 Avocados
1 (Dry) Cup Basil
2 Boxes Rotini Pasta
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
(Optional) 1/2 Package of Grilled Chicken Strips

Directions
1. In a small mixing bowl, add the garlic salt and black pepper to the extra virgin olive oil (you can add more salt and pepper according to your liking/taste) and stir well. Set aside (while it marinates).
2. In a large pot, boil the pasta according to the instructions on the box. Rinse with cold water, drain, and set aside.

3. Cut the mozzarella pearls in half, cut the avocados into half inch pieces, cut the tomatoes into halves, and chop (or rip) the basil into small pieces.
4. (Optional) Add grilled chicken strips to the recipe by cutting them into 1 inch pieces. (Make sure you defrost these first).

5. In a large platter/serving bowl, mix the pasta, mozzarella, avocados, basil, tomatoes, and chicken all together.

6. Stir in the extra virgin olive oil mixture and mix/coat well.

Let me know if you make this and feel free to share your photos!