Recipe(tried): Ziti Salad

The office was always thrilled when we had a "covered dish" luncheon scheduled. We all knew co-worker Jane would bring her delicious ziti salad. It won't use enough of your fresh basil but here goes -

Ziti Salad

1 lb. Ziti macaroni, cooked
4 large tomatoes, cut in small wedges
3 green peppers sliced lengthwise
4 leaves fresh basil (or 1 TBSP dry)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 TBSP salt
5 twists fresh pepper
8 oz. ball mozzarella cheese, cut in cubes
3 or 4 smashed garlic cloves (or to taste)

Marinate all but cheese and macaroni for 1-1/2 hours. Add well drained macaroni and mozzarella cubes. Serve as is - no need to refrigerate. (I know this sounds strange but she'd bring it to work in the morning and we'd eat it at noon.)

(I double-checked the recipe and it does say 3 to 4 leaves fresh basil or 1 TBSP dry basil. That ratio doesn't sound quite right to me - I thought when you substituted dry, you used less not more. When I made this I usually used dry because fresh wasn't available. Now my little basil plant is starting to grow but 4 leaves wouldn't equal much. Hopefully you know more using about fresh herbs than I do!)