A Filipino party is not complete if there is no Macaroni Salad, whatever guise it shows up in. This recipe was a favorite party dish during our “growing up” years. Although I cannot remember the source of this salad, I hope you can try it out for your family and guests during the holiday season.

1 package salad macaroni

1/2 cup celery, diced or sliced

1/4 cup pimientos, chopped

1-1/2 cups hard-cooked eggs, chopped

2 cups ripe mangoes, peeled and diced

1/4 cup pickle relish

3/4 cup mayonnaise (or substitute with salad dressing for a lower-calorie salad)

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

2 tsps vinegar (sukang puti)

1. Cook salad macaroni as directed. Drain well and chill.
2. Combine celery, pimientos, eggs, mangoes, and pickle relish.
3. In a small bowl, season mayonnaise with salt, sugar, vinegar. Add this to the celery mixture. Gently fold in the cooked, chilled macaroni. Blend thoroughly.
4. Serve on crisp lettuce leaves garnished with sliced, stuffed olives or tomato wedges.