8-Layer Pasta Salad

Wash hands.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Add the broccoli during the last 4 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and broccoli and rinse under cool water. Remove the broccoli and pat dry.

Whisk the mayonnaise, buttermilk, ¼ cup of chives, parsley, half of the lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Toss the pasta and a few tablespoons of the dressing in a medium bowl.

Assemble the salad: Toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice in a large glass serving bowl (or trifle bowl) and season with salt; arrange in an even layer. Next, add layers of ham, broccoli, pasta, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Drizzle some of the remaining dressing on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon chives, or cover and refrigerate the salad and dressing separately up to 6 hours.