Smoked Ham & Veggies Pasta Salad
The question I’ve been asked the most this week, amid record high temperatures, is “What can I cook for supper that won’t heat up the kitchen?”. So I whipped up one of my favorite pasta salads to post for ya real quick. This one is filled with smoked ham (the smoked part is important), tomatoes, cucumbers, English peas (I guess that means they talk with a British accent), cheese, and bow tie pasta. It’s all tied together with a creamy dressing.
I’ll show you how I made this in a minute and you’ll have plenty of time to whip it up for supper tonight, but first I wanted to go back to the subject of this heat wave.
I know it’s hot. I’ve been outside pretty frequently, walking on the crunchy brown grass and watching the temperatures climb indoors as the air conditioner loses the battle to keep up. Yes, it’s hot.
Still, I can’t help but be grateful in the middle of this heat. In fact, the heat reminds me to be grateful for a great many things. I thought I’d talk about a few of them today in hopes that you’ll help me expand the list by joining the conversation in the comments section below. Remember, there is always something to be grateful for!
My top things to be grateful for in this heat:
Air conditioning – In many parts of the country this is still not a common thing to have. In Alabama, you better believe it is! If you think it’s hot now, try living here fifty years ago when we didn’t have air conditioning. Our ancestors are up in heaven now just a rolling their eyes.
Water – over 884 MILLION people do not have access to clean water. Eight Hundred Eighty Four MILLION. That is nearly three times the entire population of the United States! We can walk to our kitchen sink. Seriously. That in and of itself is a luxury to a great number of the world’s population. We have that, and ice cubes to top it off. Talk about embarrassment of riches.
A home – No matter how big or small your home is, you are blessed to have a home. As you read this there are families literally wandering in a desert, who would give all they had for a shelter the size of your bathroom. Perspective is everything.
Luxuries – Television, internet, computer, etc. If you’re reading this, you most likely have all three. Based on that I can go out on a limb and assume you have food on the table (most people wouldn’t forego food in order to pay for internet access). These make you among some of the wealthiest people in the world. Feeling rich yet? Well if you’re reading this, billions of people consider you to be. How do these luxuries relate to the heat? Distractions and things to do indoors. Plus, it also means you’re not out picking cotton. Back in the day, THOSE people knew about heat, just ask my Grandmother.
These are just the basics but they are a great start to finding gratitude in the heat. I’d love for you to add to my list of things the heat reminds you to be grateful for in the comments section.
Also, if you are looking for more recipes that don’t require your oven, stay tuned to your inboxes later today because I’ll be sending out my latest newsletter filled with recipes and ideas for meals that won’t heat up your house. I send it out every week and all you have to do to receive it is subscribe by email by clicking here. No one will ever see your email address but me and I generally send 2-4 emails per week. If you don’t sign up in time to get today’s newsletter, you’ll get next weeks, which is almost just as good 
Just click it and sign up real quick and I’ll try to put off sending it until late afternoon or early evening. If you’d like to see an example of a newsletter, click here to view one in pdf. Please note that the links are not clickable in the example but will be in your email
Let’s make supper. Or lunch..or mid day snack…
You’ll need: Bowtie pasta, shredded cheddar, grape tomatoes, frozen peas, bell pepper, cucumber, ranch dressing, green onions and some smoked ham*.
These are just my ingredients. Feel free to alter the recipe to use up what you have on hand or to suit your personal tastes. If it doesn’t suit your family’s tastes, don’t fret because they’re not the ones making this ~grins~. It’s good to be the cook!
*Whenever I need smoked ham for a quick recipe, I just go to the deli counter and ask for a single slice that is about 1/2 inch thick. That is the perfect size for dicing up and using in recipes. The smoked ham adds a wonderful flavor to this meal.
Note: you don’t need to cook the peas, just let them thaw a bit while you prepare this and they’ll be fine.
Dice up your ham in nice bite sized pieces or smaller.
I just cut it until I’m tired of cutting it and then declare that how it is cut is how it is supposed to be.
It’s good to be King Mom.
Peel and chop up cucumber….
Chop up your bell pepper
After your pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander and run cold water over it while you stir it to stop the cooking process and cool it down so you don’t have to wait as long to eat your salad Gotta keep our priorities straight here.
Combine everything in a big ol’ bowl.
This is a rare yellow Amish Butterprint Cinderella Bowl by Pyrex. If you’ll notice, each handle is a different size. They are designed to be spouts to allow for easier pouring from the bowl. One is larger and one smaller. A lot of the Pyrex patterns were offered in regular bowls and Cinderella bowls. Cinderella means it has the spouts on it
Add in your dressing.
Stir it up really good. Cover and refrigerate until chilled and ready to serve.
If you’re hungry, eat some now and I won’t tell.
Dig in!
(and be grateful)
Ingredients
- 1 pound box bowtie pasta
- 1-2 cups smoked ham, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed slightly
- 1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 bell pepper, diced
- 1-2 cups grape tomatoes
- 1 Cup Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain in colander and pour running cold water over pasta, while stirring, until completely cooled. Allow to drain fully before pouring in large bowl.
- Add all other ingredients and stir until well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Keeps well for three days in refrigerator.
In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.
Brother David Steindl-Rast
What are you grateful for in this heat?
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Posted by Christy Jordan
on Jun 29 2012. Filed under Quick&Easy.
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Christy, this recipe sounds great. I have a similar salad that I make, but the dressing is half Ranch and half Italian dressing mixed together. It sounded strange when a friend suggested it. If I already hadn’t been eating it I probably would not have tried it! It is so good. I also add a lot of black pepper to spice it up,
I have something that I am very thankful for, my husband surviving a recent brain hemorrhage. He is only 46. My three teenage daughters and I are vey lucky that he is here with us without any long term health effects. I cannot imagine being without him.
Thank you for your wonderful website and cookbook. I cannot wait until your next one is ready!
This salad looks WONDERFUL!!! I have looked for something light and cool for suppers in this HOT weather!!!!! This fits the bill, Thank You so much!!! it was 107* in Jasper Yesterday!!!!! God Bless!! Stay COOL!!!!!
Maryanna
This is a perfect dinner for our home, everyone would eat everything in it. And as hot as it has been, the perfect meal for the day.
Thanks for the recipe….and the reminder of how blessed we are!
I am thankful for hot and cold running water and indoor toilets. It is so basic but is so great to have.
I am greatful for the freedom to worship and a comfy bed to sleep in.
I am thankful for my good health. It would be so bad if I one of the unfortunate ones without air-condt and had to be in bed all the time.
Thankful for healthy kids, family to love, air conditioning, and the ability to just pull food out of the fridge whenever we feel like it.
I’m grateful for air conditioning, whether in be in the house, the car, schools, public buildings, wherever. Back in the 60s we didn’t have a/c at home, in the car, or at school. Summer in TN is brutal! My first car, a 1978 Ford, didn’t have a/c as I thought I could do without it. Well…7 years later when I traded it in, I made SURE I bought a car with cold a/c.
Also, so grateful that I finally found a job after a year of unemployment and that it is in an air conditioned office! I feel bad for the folks who must work outdoors in this heat.
I am thankful that we live in the USA where all of the above is possible. And for people like you that remind us that we are lucky – some of us need the reminder more often that others.
Having grandparents who did not have indoor plumbing, I am sooooooooooo thankful for my indoor plumbing. But, right behind that, I am grateful for nice, soft, or even the ‘crunch’y toilet paper. The grands kept an old catalog and corncobs in their outdoor plumbing. I know that corncobs are a cliche, but they were real. The only thing worse than the corncobs was the long, long walk from the house when it rained.
I make a recipe very similar to this one … the big differences are that I use red, yellow or orange peppers because I can’t handle the green ones, and I omit any cucumber because my husband dislikes cukes. I do add some chopped celery.
I’m thankful for the US Military and the civilians who support them. Today many of them are living in tents with no A/C, TV, Internet, Beds, indoor plumbing….so that we can be free to worship as we choose, live free, and freely give our opinions on whatever we choose. GOD Bless America!
I am thankful for all that God has given us. We have much to be thankful for.
This looks yummy, Christy! Sooo many things to be thankful for: My health, being raised to become a christian, my family, Jesus giving his life for me, living in this country, my home, food a plenty, nice bed to sleep in, friends, and the list can go on.
Just made this pasta salad for supper tonight with the addition of a few black olives. It was yum-yum-yummers! Thanks for sharing.
I am going to try this. It sounds just perfect for the hot weather.
I am grateful for my family, a God that loves me and for the air conditioning
in this 100 plus weather.
Wow Christy so true and thank you for reminding us, how truely blessed we all are.. If you think about it most of the poorest in our country now live better than the richest and wealthiest two hundred years ago.. We have indoor rest rooms, running water, heat, AC.. Refrig, stoves, fans just to name a few. We definately need to count our blessings.. Happy 4th of July to all..Have a safe and Happy Week…
Thank you for reminding us how truly blessed we are!
I’m so glad I saw you on QVC and discovered your website. Love your cookbook and can’t wait for next one. My husband even asked where I was
getting all the new recipes he is enjoying. I’ve got all the girls in the office enjoying your site also.
Wishing you and your adorable family a safe and happy July 4th!
Hi Christy. First, let me say you should have a tv show, Gal! Your recipes are wonderful, down to earth and easy. And–your humor makes reading your site a HOOT!
I am thankful, every day, for awakening on my own–with my husband! And, when we have to go out–I am thankful for a car with A/C–as well as stores with it! Oh, we should not forget our refrigerators with ice!
Mostly, I try to be thankful each day just for another day–and to hopefully cause someone else to smile.
May you and yours have a very safe and happy 4th of July.
Karen
I am so thankful for those men and women in the military….God bless them and their supportive families.
I have a good tip about the frozen peas……put them in a colander frozen and pour the boiling water with the pasta over them. Run cold water over both and you are good to go.
Everyone – have a wonderful and SAFE holiday. God bless!!
Hi Christy, I am thankful that God has allowed me 70 yrs. here on earth and that I still have my wonderful husband with me. And Christy, you have no idea how much I enjoy your recipes and the way you illustrate them. I get so tickled. I just put several of your family’s recipes in my recipe box, especially your Daddy’s coconut cake, so many recipes that we should just come to your place for the 4th instead of me cooking…lol Thanks Sweetie for all the goodies,
I am thankful for the Supreme Court’s recent decision on health care reform. Everyone in this country deserves decent and affordable health care….I made pasta salad today and look forward to trying your recipe next time. Thanks!
I love getting on here in the mornings to see what you have for us now. I too grew up in the mountains. I am getting copies for my grandchildren now and the ones who will one day be.
I am so grateful to God for the slow way I must walk now. I was always so busy, busy, now I have found the smallest gifts from Heaven on the ground when I can go out. Did you know that there are tiny little purple star flowers from heaven that grow every spring? Well, they grow in my yard along with a bunch of clover along with a bunch of weeds. I want to thank God in his wisdom and mercy that I am here for today.
Thank you for this recipe, I was thinking what would be cool to make because our air went out last night. It did remind me of our child hood with out air conditioning. I remember Mother and Daddy had one window unit They only turned it on at night time My sisters and I slept in our room with a fan in the window.
I am thankful for many things including my health, my husband health and my son and daughter and my grand daughter even the one granddaughter that we donot get to see.
God bless you Christy and thankyou for your many reicpes that I love to try.
I was trying to find a recipe for dinner at church tomorrow, something cool and went to your web site. This will be perfect. My grandson loves your Lunchroom Peanut butter bars. He is 13 so I had him help with them this time. Your recipes are great but your site is a true ministry. I am grateful for so many things but my kids and grandkids are my biggest blessing.
I am so grateful for my pets! 2 corgis and a Maine coon cat…pets just bring such happiness and unconditional love!
Tried this today with grilled bbq chicken, baked beans & ice cold watermelon for dessert in honor of the holiday coming up. Great taste of summer from the fresh veggies. Awesome! A new favorite. Grateful for forgiving people for when I mess up.
*people who forgive when I mess up
I found a shortcut on the ham…my grocery store had the Carolina Pride smoked ham already cubed. It was on sale BOGO! We are having this for lunch tomorrow, and I can’t wait!
Yay for savings!!! I hope you enjoy the recipe!!
Christy, Thank you for this recipe. I enjoyed reading your postings. I am so thankful for my daughter and her husband and his two boys. They have brought many wonderful times to our family. I am thankful they were able to join us for a vacation at the beach this year. I am also thankful for our youngest daughter who just moved to Mobile, Alabama for her first “real” job. I am thankful she will have air conditioning! Happy Fourth of July!
Thank you Christy for unknowingly being there for me.Reading your post has helped me through a hard time in my life. My youngest son went to be with Jesus 2 years ago.Today was such a blessing as I held my new great grandson in my arms.I’m so thankful for my wonderful memories with my son and all the new memories that will be made with the new baby boy.You are a true woman of God and a blessing to me.
Oh my goodness Bernice. I am so sorry to hear about your son and my heart and prayers are with you. I am so grateful to hear about the new addition and know he will be such a huge bleesing in your life. Please give him a big cuddle and huge squeeze from me!!!
I have found with salads featuring a cooked starch (potatoes, macaroni) that if you cool them in the fridge for an hour or more, then they absorb a lot less of the dressing and remain creamier. Especially if you make the salad the night before – which often tastes better the next day than fresh made. Kinda like some soups are better the next day.
I am thankful for my children. The last ditch efforts we went through after 3 years of stressful failures and finally we were blessed with my little darlings going on 5 years old.
I am thankful that we live in a stable country where my children and family have a high probability of safety and a rewarding life. So many in our world never know when disaster is going to strike and no where to go to prevent that.
Will definitely make this this week, with the jello jars too! My kids love looking at this site with me, cause as they say “it all looks so yummy! Let’s make that!” I am so very lucky that they eat almost everything you put in front of them. With your recipes, I never go wrong. As they say, I am the gooderest cook ever! I am so grateful to have had custody of them ((my great-niece (7) & nephew (6)) now almost 4 yrs (Aug 14th @ 2pm will be 4 yrs!) They are truly the light of my life. I could not love them any more if they were my own. Love your site, your wit, your compassion, your ability to share God with others. So very glad I found it !!
What a true blessing for both you and them Angie!! I can just feel all of the love in your house!!
I love pasta salads – especially in the hot weather. I get to use all the fresh vegetables my husband grows! Hope all is well with you and yours!
We are well Pam, hope you and yours are as well and have a very happy 4th!!!
I put this salad together this morning. Excited to try it for dinner tonight. It went together quickly!!
Thank you, Christy, for your awesome recipes!!
I hope you like it Betty!!
Well after the recent wind storm that came through and without power from Friday night to Monday morning, I am truly grateful for electricity and running water! Also to the power companies that came from near and far to help get people’s power back on, working in 99 degree plus weather in the hot summer sun. I can’t imagine living without a/c-how did people work all day and not be able to get any relief from the heat to rest at night. They were made of strong stuff! Thanks for the recipe Christy and your stories.
That is it Pat, they were made of strong stuff. I am so glad to hear they finally got your power restored!!! I know it was just miserable without it. My thoughts and prayers have been with all of those affected.
We are making the Pasta Salad for the 4th of July. Thank you so much and also for reminding us of how Blessed we truely are. I am Grateful for this very privilege I am using now-Being able to be a part of your life and we live so far apart. The internet is a wonderful thing! Thank you for sharing with us.
Also in this hot weather I have been freezing bannans in a ziploc and when I am outside I will get one and eat it is so refreshing and healthy! I will usually cut them in half when I freeze them a half is enough it is like having a popscile.
Have a wonderful 4th of July, May God bless each and everyone.
Rena
This is a wonderful recipe! In fact I’m eating the very last serving of it for lunch right now. I’ve only recently found your Web site, Christy, and really enjoy it.
Welcome to Southern plate Heidi!!! I am so glad to hear that you liked the salad!!
This is a great recipe! Made it for the 4th of July and everyone loved it. It sure makes a lot and I will be having it for lunch today. This is definitely a recipe I will be making again.
I am grateful for all our God has given us (even the heat. I thank my husbund that gets up each day and goes to work. I thank God for the freedoms we enjoy and the brave men and women that serve to keep us free. I pray we may continue to have our freedoms. I can remember when we did not have air conditioning only one small round type fan, and we were thankful for that. I remember having only an icebox, it would not keep ice cream well. Once in a while my mother would buy us a popsicle to have something cool in the evening to look forward to. I remember when we would sleep on the porch where it was cooler ( that was at a time when it was safe to do so). I sometimes miss my youth, but I LOVE THE AC.
This is a great reminder to always be grateful. I wake each morning with a thank you to my heavenly Father for my job, home, cars, my children, church and on and on. A few days ago as I fixed my coffee, I stopped and said Thank you for hot and cold running water. Many things we often take for granted, especially air conditioning and refrigerators and heat in the winter….God bless you.
I am so thankful for my raising and the huge family of my Mama, sister, brothers, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and more cousins.( My Dad died when I was 4.) But they ranged in age ,when I was growing up, from 80′s to newborn and we were all loved and tended to by all the older ones. I was taught honesty, loyalty, character, to love GOD, family and country and our fellow man. Nobody had a/c then, not homes, schools, cars or churches but we did have ice tea, ice cream, cold watermelons, and shade trees and swimming pools at the park. I am so thankful that I was brought up in a family that sang, laughed, loved and cried with all their hearts and still do to this day. We have more money now and bigger air conditioned houses with indoor plumbing but I would trade it all to have all those “seniors” again to sing their songs and tell their stories and love us like we were angels from heaven
I’m grateful that (so far) I have the control to keep my mouth shut when I should and keep my fingers off the keyboard….I just keep saying “This too shall pass”. I focus on my blessings over and over when my struggle tries to take over.
Thanks for a delicious-looking recipe and looks easy to make.
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Do you know how many people the salad will serve?
Christy, I am so grateful for my family and friends and good health. I’m grateful for a roof over my head and food to put on the table.
This recipe is lucious! I made it as shown with 1 exception; I used orange bell peppers because they were the freshest peppers in the store. I had leftovers and today was my 3rd day to have it for lunch. It gets better every day! Can’t wait to make it again, especially when the more serious heat spells start rolling in soon!!
I love your blogs! Thanks for taking the time to remind us of what is really important in life!
Christy, this is an update on this great salad. Made a big batch last night that would feed an army. I have a neighbor who has been ill and housebound for about a month. so I decided to bring some to her, but I didn’t dress it because she is on a restricted diet and can’t use most store bought salad dressings.
She was thrilled and commented on how pretty it was. She said she would use some of her Italian dressing. She called me a while later just raving about it, saying it was the first thing in a month that tasted good to her. Her sense of taste has been compromised by all of her meds. I was so happy to hear that she enjoyed it so much that I just wanted to update you to let you know.
God Bless you and your family!