4th of July: Macaroni Salad and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I was able to go visit the boyfriend for 4th of July, so him, his brother, and a friend got started on making some pulled pork for pulled pork sandwiches ahead of time. I wouldn't be able to get there until late, but I made some macaroni salad and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies ahead of time. I love this macaroni salad recipe, it's so good! For the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, I just took my normal chocolate chip cookie recipe, and added about 2 cups of oats. Turned out great, and 4th of July was a lot of fun!

Here's the recipe adapted from the Pioneer Woman

Ingredients:
2 cups Elbow Macaroni
1 1/2 whole Roasted Red Peppers, Chopped (more To Taste, Can Also Use Pimentos)
1/4 cup Black Olives, Chopped Fine
3 whole Sweet/spicy Pickle Slices, Diced (I just used dill pickles, didn't have spicy ones)
2 whole Green Onions, Sliced (white And Dark Green Parts)
1/4 cup Mayonnaise
1/2 Tablespoon Red Wine Or Distilled Vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons Sugar, More Or Less To Taste
1/8 teaspoon Salt, More To Taste
Plenty Of Black Pepper
1/8 cup Milk (more If Needed)
Splash Of Pickle Juice (spicy Sweet Pickles)
Extra Pickle Juice To Taste
Add some red pepper flakes if you wish

Directions:

1. Cook the macaroni in lightly salted water according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.

2. Mix together mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Splash in enough milk to make it pourable. Splash in pickle juice for extra flavor. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Set aside.

3. Place cooled macaroni in a large bowl and pour 3/4 of the dressing. Toss and add more dressing if you'd like. (Dressing will seem a little thin, but it will thicken up as salad chills.)

4. Stir in olives, roasted red peppers (or pimentos), pickles, and green onions. Add more of any ingredient if you'd like more stuff going on! At the end, splash in a little more pickle juice and stir.

5. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Sprinkle with sliced green onion to serve!