orecchiette pasta salad

over the years i have tried many pasta salad recipes, but this one is the classic.  i vary the type of pasta used but the ingredients usually stay the same.  this recipe can be made in any amount for a large or small crowd.  i usually only boil 1-2 cups of pasta, and then cool the pasta in a colander under cold water.  to the pasta i add, chopped celery, green and/or red pepper, green onion, salt and pepper. 

for the dressing, i usually use 1/4 to 1/3 cup of low fat light mayonnaise thinned with milk.  i whisk in milk until the dressing is creamy and able to be easily added into the mixture.  by adding a little milk at a time, it is easy to obtain the correct consistency.  another option for this pasta salad includes adding part mayonnaise to prepared peppercorn dressing.  this is a great option and also delicious.