Mix-n-Match Pasta Salad

This recipe came from my friend, Mariellen. She is fabulous, and I think this recipe is pretty darn fabulous too. I never would have thought to put some of these ingredients in my pasta salad.

16 oz pasta (you choose)
3 from list one totaling 2 lbs
1-2 from list two (1/4-1/2 cup each)
1-4 from list three
1 from list four (1 cup)

List One:
Bite size broccoli florets added to pasta one minute before draining
Bite size cauliflower florets added to pasta one minute before draining
Bite size asparagus spears added to pasta one minute before draining
¼” carrot coins added to pasta one minute before draining
Bite size green bean pieces added to pasta one minute before draining
Snow peas added to pasta one minute before draining
Sugar snap peas added to pasta one minute before draining
¼” zucchini pieces added to pasta one minute before draining
Canned artichoke hearts
Bean sprouts
¼” celery slices
Bite size pieces of cucumber
Thinly sliced fennel
Bite size pieces of avocado
Thinly sliced zucchini
Halved cherry or grape tomatoes
Bite size strips of bell pepper
Diced tomato
Thawed frozen green peas
½” thick rounds of broiled eggplant cut into bite-size pieces
Large whole mushrooms, sliced after broiling
Grilled bell pepper strips
Grilled zucchini pieces
Sauteed celery pieces
Sauteed bell pepper pieces
Canned beans
Chicken breast pieces
Turkey pieces
Ham pieces
Italian sausage pieces
Cooked lobster
Cooked and peeled shrimp
Canned tuna
Crab meat
Mild cheeses (swiss, Monterey jack, mozzarella, cheddar)

List Two:
Crumbled feta cheese
Sliced parmesan cheese
Crumbled goat cheese
Capers
Coarsely chopped pitted olives
Peperoncini
Pepperoni
Roasted peppers
Sun dried tomatoes
Crumbled bacon
Prosciutto
Smoked salmon or other smoked fish
Toasted pine nuts
Roasted cashews
Roasted or honey roasted peanuts
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds

List Three:
3 large green onions, sliced
½ red onion, chopped
2 tsp orange or lemon zest
2 T. cilantro
2 T. basil
2 T. dill
2 T. parsley
2 T. mint
1 tsp rosemary
1 tsp tarragon
other herbs of your choice

List Four:
Ranch dressing
Italian dressing
Caesar dressing
Thousand island dressing
Russian dressing
French dressing
Rice wine vinegar
Lemon juice
Soy sauce and sesame oil
Other dressing of your choice

It's so easy. If you're in the mood for Asian food you might do chicken breast, broccoli, and sugar snap peas with roasted cashews or sesame seeds, green onion, and parsley and a soy and sesame oil sauce. If you're in the mood for Greek you can do ham, artichoke hearts and fennel, feta crumbles, red onion and tarragon with a yogurt and lemon sauce. You never have to have the same thing twice.