Yummm...

With Fouth of July just around the corner, I started recipe searching for great BBQ side dishes to go with the classics like burgers and hotdogs. I always go to www.foodnetwork.com, they always have delicious and easy dishes to make. I stumbled across this one a few years ago and remembered it was a hit! So I'm going to do it again this year, although I might revamp it just a bit and throw some avacodo and smoked turkey in it and turn it into a "club pasta salad." If you choose to revamp it yourself, or just follow it the way it is...IT IS DELISH, and it will become an instant party favorite for any summer BBQ.

 *BLT PASTA SALAD*

img. souce 

Ingredients

• 12 ounces corkscrew, elbow, bowtie, or any shaped pasta
• 1/2 cup milk
• 12 ounces lean bacon
• 3 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 garlic, minced
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 4 tablespoons chopped chives, scallions, or red onion
• 5 heads Bibb lettuce, quartered, or 5 cups chopped romaine hearts

(revamped) - 1 to 2 ripe avocados, diced, tossed in lemon/ lime juice (to preserve color) and 1/2 cup sliced smoked turkey breast

Directions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water as the label directs. Drain and toss with the milk in a large bowl; set aside.

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Discard all but 3 tablespoons drippings from the pan. 

Add the tomatoes, thyme and garlic to the pan and toss until warmed through; season with salt and pepper.

crumble the bacon into bite-size pieces; set aside 1/4 cup for garnish. Toss the remaining bacon and the tomato mixture with the pasta.

Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream and 3 tablespoons chives with the pasta until evenly combined. Season with salt and pepper. Add the lettuce; toss again to coat. 

Garnish with the reserved bacon and the remaining 1 tablespoon chives.

Serve at room temperature.

I linked up over at * Remodelaholic * for her recipe swap Sunday.
Go check her blog out for more mouth watering dishes!

ENJOY!!!