My family and I relocated to Phoenix, AZ several years ago. The weather is beautiful 9 months out of the year! But, the other three months…well….it’s hot. Really hot. I mean, really, really hot. We’ve adjusted to the heat over the last two years, but no matter how adjusted we are, 118 degrees is stifling.

There is a payoff for heat endurance. In December, when it’s supposed to be cold, rainy and grey(at least that’s what it was like in my home town), I’m wearing flip-flops and short sleeved shirts as I enjoy 75 degree weather. But although I know the blistering heat is reaching it’s yearly end and beautiful weather awaits, a late summer meltdown occurs. It’s happened every year since we’ve been here. I reach a point at which my brain can no longer bear the sizzling heat, and I enter into a heat-induced rage.

Several of my friends that have moved here to Arizona also experience such a meltdown. But we decided to celebrate our meltdown, rather than lamenting it. There’s nothing we can do about the heat, so why not embrace it? So, to celebrate our love/hate relationship with the desert sun, we have a yearly Summer Meltdown Party.

This salad got its name because of the day it was made, and it’s a great way to chill out after a meltdown. Enjoy!

Meltdown Macaroni Salad

Ingredients

1 Package of Small Salad Macaroni or Elbow Macaroni-I prefer salad macaroni
2-3 Hardboiled Eggs, chopped, (depending on how much egg you like in your salad)
2 Stalks Celery, Chopped
1 Carrot, Shredded
1 Medium Sized Onion, Finely Chopped
3/4 Cup Frozen Peas, Thawed
1 Small Can Sliced Olives, Drained
1 Cup Mayonnaise
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup White Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Yellow Mustard
1 Tablespoon Dill Pickle Relish
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Seasoned Salt
1 Teaspoons Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper
About 1 Teaspoon Paprika
Additional Salt and Pepper, to Taste
Fresh or Dried Dill for Garnish

Instructions

Cook macaroni al dente, according to package directions.
In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, pickle relish, garlic powder, seasoned salt, and salt and pepper.
In a separate large bowl, combine macaroni, egg, celery, carrots, onion, peas and olives (if you're using them). Mix the dressing in a little at a time to combine. If you pour it in all at once, it will be hard to mix completely. Once the salad has been mixed together, sprinkle with paprika, about 1 teaspoon, and mix the pasta with the paprika.
Chill the macaroni salad for at least three hours, or, if you can, chill overnight. Sprinkle with a little fresh or dried dill, for garnish.