A Will Finds A Way

"It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well." - Rene Descartes

I am going to cook BBQ pasta salad for dinner tonight. I have cooked this recipe many times and every time I make it I find that I love it just that much more. I am going to look forward to dinner tonight.

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
8 ounces smoked sausage , kielbasa, or deli ham
Table salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 red bell pepper , seeded and chopped fine
1 rib celery , chopped fine
4 scallions , sliced thin
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup barbecue sauce (see note above)
Ground black pepper

1. Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add meat, cut into 1/2-inch
chunks, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer meat to paper-towel-lined plate and set
aside.

2. While meat is cooking, bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add 1 tablespoon salt and macaroni
and cook until nearly tender, about 5 minutes. Drain in colander and rinse with cold water until cool,
then drain once more, briefly, so that pasta is still moist; transfer to large bowl.

3. Stir in browned meat, bell pepper, celery, scallions, vinegar, hot sauce, chili powder, garlic powder,
and cayenne pepper, and let sit until flavors are absorbed, about 2 minutes. Stir in mayonnaise and
barbecue sauce and let sit until salad is no longer watery, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper
and serve. (The salad can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Check seasonings before
serving.)