Pasta bean salad

This is a great salad that can be made quickly and is perfect for summer dinners. Feel free to add other vegetables as available.

8oz macaroni or salad pasta, cooked and cooled
1 can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2-3 tomatoes, diced
1/4c finely diced red onion
1-2 dill pickles, diced
2-3T prepared mustard
1T olive oil
1T raspberry vinegar or other vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Chill before serving.

Penne with summer squash

2 zucchini
2 yellow squash
12oz penne
3T olive oil
1c vegetable broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1t thyme
1/2t black pepper
1/4t salt

cut the squash and zucchini into rounds or half rounds, steam until tender. Bring water to boil for penne, cook. Meanwhile saute garlic and thyme in oil until fragrant. Add broth, pepper, and salt. Boil until reduced to a syrup. Drain penne and mix with vegetables and broth reduction.

Pasta with onion and white kidney beans in a tomato sauce

1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
1 15 oz white kidney beans, rinsed (sometimes called cannellini beans)
2T olive oil
2T apple juice
1/4t dried oregano
1/4t red pepper flakes
1 small onion
12oz Farfalle (bow tie) or other mid-sized pasta

heat water for pasta. mix all ingredients except pasta and onion in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, reduce to a low boil. Cook pasta and drain. coarsely dice onion and add to sauce for last 2 minutes. Mix sauce and pasta, serve. About 20 minutes. Add more red pepper flakes for a spicier sauce.