This post is sponsored by Pacific Foods.
I’m looking for ways to extend summertime.
The list I’ve brainstormed so far:
– Keep wearing white pants.
– Move to Arizona.
– Eat nothing but corn and zucchini until January.
– Heat lamps.
…other ideas?
While the rest of the blogging community is heralding the coming season of boots, scarves, and pumpkin, let’s face it: I’m not going to celebrate those things until I’m forced to. Do you think my boots and scarves will look good with cropped white jeans? OK good.
Summer is my favorite season, and luckily we had plenty of summery weather in Salt Lake this Labor Day to celebrate its (unofficial) last weekend. Despite planning to spend the whole weekend relaxing (we’re gone almost every weekend in September!), Nate and I ended up heading over to our friends’ house for a little impromptu gathering on Saturday night. It didn’t take too much convincing… there was wine involved!
Our friends Alex and Matt are THE most generous hosts, and we don’t return the favor nearly often enough. They have an absolutely gorgeous outdoor space, so naturally everyone loves inviting themselves over on a summer evening. I don’t have a shot that does it justice, but they are master gardeners. Someday I hope to be grown up enough to have a yard that looks half as good as theirs! Unfortunately that day is not only far away, but will probably involve me paying someone else to garden for me. Not a green thumb to be found in our household.
Anyway, because we take advantage of Alex and Matt’s hospitality far too often, I said we’d bring the food this time. Enter this roasted red pepper hummus:
…of which we devoured every bite.
Pacific Foods generously sent me several types of their organic, shelf-stable hummus to try. Yum! They have classic, roasted garlic, and roasted red pepper flavors. I brought over several containers of the roasted red pepper, and wished I’d brought more! This group can sure eat some hummus.
Have you seen these little cartons of hummus? Rather than using plastic containers, Pacific Foods packs their products in cartons, allowing them to be shelf-stable without refrigeration or preservatives. They’re recyclable, too. Pretty cool if you ask me! Great for not only parties, but to pack along on a camping trip or picnic.
The other thing I just couldn’t resist bringing was this cheesy southwest pasta salad:
Pasta and all the southwestern fixings are stirred together with a generous helping of salsa con queso to make an easy, cheesy delight. It’s so simple to whip up, and a great way to stretch a half pound of pasta to feed a crowd. Plus, could cheesy pasta ever be bad?
I think we all know the answer to that.
Actually, I have to say this pasta salad is kind of like a cross between mac and cheese and pasta salad. It is seriously cheesy! And yet the bulk of it is made up of veggies and beans… my kind of party dish. Why did it take me so long to make this? Truth be told, I just didn’t realize how easy it would be… but now you know. So do it!
In fact, so that you can do just that, Pacific Foods is giving away a whole box full of goodies to one lucky Coffee & Quinoa reader! This includes their salsa con queso, three types of hummus, and their refried beans. Let’s just say you’ll be all set to extend your summer for as loooong as you’d like with these treats!
Each reader can enter the giveaway up to five times. Here’s how to enter:
1. Leave a comment on this post telling me how you’re extending summer!
2. Like Pacific Foods on Pinterest (then leave a separate blog comment below to tell me you did).
3. Like Pacific Foods on Facebook (then leave a separate blog comment below to tell me you did).
4. Like Coffee & Quinoa on Pinterest (then leave a separate blog comment below to tell me you did).
5. Like Coffee & Quinoa on Facebook (then leave a separate blog comment below to tell me you did).
The giveaway is open to US residents only and will be open until 11:59 Eastern Time on Monday, September 15th. In the meantime, check out the Pacific Foods Foodie Party pinterest board for ideas to entertain a crowd for these last few warm-weather weekends.
On my to-do list this week: Eat cheesy pasta salad while wearing white pants and checking out flights to the Southwest. Yep… still summer!
- 8 oz short pasta (I used casarecce)
- kernels from 2 ears of corn (about 1.5 cups)
- 2 cups diced bell pepper (I used sliced mini peppers)
- 2-3 cups diced fresh tomatoes
- 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup minced red onion
- juice of 2 limes
- 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 container Pacific Foods Salsa Con Queso
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Place corn kernels in the bottom of a colander. Drain pasta over corn, then add both to a large mixing bowl.
- Stir the remaining ingredients in with the pasta and corn. Set aside until cooled to room temperature. Serve and enjoy!
- I prefer this dish on the first day made. If refrigerating over night, bring back up to room temperature before serving.
I’m extending my summer by going to a friend’s lake house next weekend! Also I think I’m extending the summer just by living in North Carolina – the heat and humidity is definitely still going strong!
Going out and ENJOYING a walk even in the rain!
I’m going on a vacation in mid-September — that’ll extend my Summer!
I follow pacific foods on pinterest
I like Pacific Foods on pinterest
I like Coffee & Quinoa on Pinterest
We are heralding the oncoming spring weather here in Australia, and I am happily looking forward to outdoor gatherings with my friends and family. This pasta salad will be a winner for sure. We can’t get this brand of salsa con queso, or any queso really, here but I am off to search for something that will substitute :)
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I’m extending my summer by closing my eyes and sipping iced tea
I’m extending summer by enjoying morning swim.
( like Pacific Foods on Pinterest.
I follow Coffee & Quinoa on Pinterest.
I like Coffee & Quinoa on Facebook
I follow Coffee & Quinoa on Pinterest
I like Pacific Foods on FB
I follow Pacific Foods on Pinterest
Goooorgeous! I never would have thought to use the queso in a salad and that sounds amazing! I have a total of one carton left of it, so I know what I’ll be using it for. Can we meet up in the southwest? We’ll have a ball! ;)
I’m extending summer with sheer denial! I’m with you- summer is my favorite season, and I’ll be spending time outside until I can’t anymore. Scarves can wait. That pasta salad looks delicious and colorful!
I’m following Coffee and Quinoa on Pinterest!
I’m putting some fall crops in the garden now to extend the summer.
Followed Pacific Foods on Pinterest as Dandi Daffyhill.
Followed Pacific Foods on Facebook as Dandi Daffyhill.
Followed your page on Pinterest as Dandi Daffyhill.
Followed your page on Facebook as Dandi Daffyhill.
My friends and I had such busy schedules this summer that we haven’t been able to have a picnic in Central Park yet – we’re extending summer by scheduling the picnic for October 4th…the first day we’re all free!
And I follow Coffee & Quinoa on Pinterest!
We are going to our family’s lake house next week!
I like you via fb!
I like pacific on fb.
I refuse to give up summer foods like fresh pineapple, grilled veggies and chicken, and enjoying the sunshine while I still can by taking walks during my lunch break at work!
I follow you on pinterest!
pinterest.com/jmosh
I follow Pacific Foods on pinterest, too!
I already like your facebook page :)
I like Pacific Foods on facebook, too!
I have extended summer with my attitude
I like Pacific Foods on Pinterest
I’m extending summer by planting fall annuals.
I’m following Pacific Foods on pinterest as rusthawk.
I’m following Pacific Foods on facebook as Rust Hawk.
I am following you on pinterest as rusthawk.
I liked your facebook page as rust hawk. Thanks!
I just started following you on Pinterest! Can’t wait to start pinning!
I am extending my summer by going to the pool everyday. It’s still really hot here in California.
I follow you on Pinterest as cezovski9
I like you on Facebook as Carolsue Anderson
I follow Pacific Foods on Pinterest as cezovski9
I like Pacific Foods on Facebook as Carolsue Anderson
Here are more ideas for your list:
Citrus ere’thang.
Berry pies.
Ice cream.
Grilled stuffs.
Cheers!
I follow you on Facebook!
I follow Pacific Foods on Facebook!
We just drag out the fire pit for chillier nights and pretend like it’s still summer!
Like Pacific Foods on Pinterest as suburbsanity
Like Pacific Foods on Facebook as debbiekaye
Like Coffee & Quinoa on Pinterest as suburbsanity
Like Coffee & Quinoa on Facebook as debbiekaye
We took a late vacation this year so even though fall is coming, we just got back from the beach! :) I absolutely love fall though, so I don’t mind that summer is ending. Thanks for the giveaway!
I follow PF on Pinterest
I like PF on Facebook
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I like you on Facebook
We DID move to Arizona to extend our summer!
I extend summer by enjoying the tomatoes and other veggies my husband grows in the garden.
I follow Pacfic on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/amylou61/
I follow you on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/amylou61/
I follow Pacicifc on Facebook (Amy Masters Leach)