Ray Parrella's Pasta Salad

Grrrrrgh!
Course : Italian
From: HungryMonster.com
Serves: 6
 

Ingredients:

-----dressing-----
8 ounces creamy Italian dressing
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon oregano flakes
1/2 teaspoon basil
-----salad-----
8 ounces small pasta -- medium shells
2 cups chopped fresh vegetables*
1 cup tuna -- chicken or seafood
1 medium lettuce for salad plates
 

Preparation:

*Vegetables can include all or some of the following: broccoli or cauliflower florets, fresh tomatoes, carrots, sweet pepper, green onion, zucchini or summer squash. To make the dressing, put all ingredients in a large decanter, mixing well. Refrigerate. To make the salad, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse, coat with a little dressing, and toss. This will keep pasta from sticking and preserve it for several days. Store in covered container in refrigerator. Before serving, heat pasta for 30 seconds in microwave, then toss with vegetables and tuna, chicken or seafood. Add a little more dressing. Serve on lettuce-lined plates. Yield: 6 to 8 servings. Colombo wrote: "This is a delightful salad that's excellent on a hot summer night." From Alice Colombo's 08/05/92 "Cook's Corner" column in "The (Louisville, KY) Courier-Journal," in response to Louisvillean Olivia McCullough's request for the rec