Mr. Fred and Gluten Free Picnic Pasta Salad

"Everybody must wear a hat.  You look smarter in a hat.  The time for hatlessness is over." -majordomo of milliner, Mr. Fred of John-Frederics

After the war in the late 1940's, hatlessness was rampant.  One milliner, Mr. Fred, required his customers to wear hats when visiting his showroom.  His majordomo who was dressed in a Revolutionary costume chanted this quote outside the showroom.

It being the 4th of July I thought it was a good sentiment for the day.  Especially with the Revolutionary costume.  The time for hatlessness is over.  Everybody must wear a hat!  I know it is unrealistic to think that everybody will wear hats but we milliners today are keeping hats on heads one hat at a time.


For a 4th of July picnic someone must bring the pasta salad.  There are countless versions of pasta salad.  This one has all the necessary ingredients; pasta, veggies, cheese, protein and a vinaigrette to bring it alive.

Picnic Pasta Salad

serves 4 people

8 oz. gluten-free quinoa/corn fusilli
3 tbs. olive oil
3 oz. fresh goat cheese
1 bunch broccolini
3 oz. firm, sprouted tofu, cut into 1/4" dice
1 tbs. fish sauce
juice of 1/2 a lime
zest of 1 lime
2 tbs. olive oil
sea salt
3 slices of bacon, cut into lardons, cooked until crispy
3 tbs. chopped parsley
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmagiano-Reggiano

vinaigrette;  Whisk together, 4 tbs. olive oil, juice of 1/2 a lime, 2 tbs. rice vinegar, and a 1/2 tsp. sea salt

Cook the pasta in boiling, salty water according to package directions.  Add a little olive oil to the water, stir a couple of times during cooking, do not over-cook!  Cook al dente.  Drain, pour into a mixing bowl and drizzle with the 3 tbs. olive oil.  Crumble in the goat cheese while the pasta is still hot.  Mix and set aside.

Marinate the diced tofu in the fish sauce, lime zest and juice, olive oil and sea salt.

Trim the stems of the broccolini with a vegetable peeler.  Steam until tender, then cut onto 1" pieces.

Add the tofu and marinade, the broccolini, bacon, parsley and Parmagiano-Regiano to the pasta, pour over the vinaigrette and mix it all together.

And surely you will wear a hat when you take this pasta salad to a picnic.  Everybody must wear hats!

To see the latest collection of Zazu & Violets' hats, please visit our on-line Etsy shop.