Spring Pasta Salad

This past weekend gave me a HUGE case of Spring fever……. Spring Pasta Salad …..on yeah!

Spring Pasta Salad

I know I’m jumping the gun just a little, but that first taste of spring makes you want to break out the flip flops, and start up the grill. Which is exactly what we did last Sunday. What is better than burgers on the grill……..nothing of course!

With burgers you need a salad and this salad is perfect. The dressing is slightly sweet and coats the pasta and veggies with that silky sweet goodness.

Spring Pasta Salad

Campanelle pasta lets that dressing get into every nook and cranny. And its cute, shaped like little bellflowers with ruffly edges.

The vegetables I used were my choice and I think an inspired one, but ,if you want to switch it up you can feel free to use the veggies of your choice.

Spring Pasta Salad

Now, I must confess that I took creative liberty with this recipe keeping only the dressing unchanged. When I worked at the grocery store bakery, the deli was in the same kitchen and so I was privy to many delicious recipes. One of which was Colleen’s Macaroni Salad. The deli manager’s own special salad. It was one of the most popular salads at the deli.

The deli and the store no longer exists, but I am glad to be able to share my version of one of the most popular recipes.

Spring Pasta Salad

Next weekend is suppose to be great again, so fire up the grill and make a batch of Spring Pasta Salad, and feed your Spring fever!

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Spring Pasta Salad

Spring Pasta Salad

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  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Mix
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • Salad:
  • 1 pound Campanelle or shell pasta, cooked according to package directions, rinsed under cold water , and drained.
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 2 cups cucumber chunks
  • 1/2 each, large red, orange, and yellow peppers, cut into chunks
  • 6 green onions, sliced
  • 2 cups, Kraft Three Cheese Crumbles
  • Dressing:
  • 2 cups Miracle Whip
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk


Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl mix all dressing ingredients and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl mix all salad ingredients except cheese. Pour dressing over and mix well. Add cheese crumbles and mix until incorporated.
  3. If desired garnish with chopped parsley.

 

Chicken Satay Spaghetti Squash Salad

Chicken with yummy peanut sauce and spaghetti squash …… Chicken Satay Spaghetti Squash Salad.

Chicken Satay Spaghetti Squash Salad

Satay is traditionally a shish kebab style dish popular in Indonesia and Thailand. It is most frequently associated with Thai food, where it is made from cubes of beef, chicken, or lamb, and is dipped in a traditional peanut relish or sauce.

I mixed it up a little. First……no shish kebab. I marinaded chicken tenders in a curry, soy, brown sugar mixture. Tenders are are great and inexpensive part of the chicken…..bonus, they are easy to use, no cutting involved.

Chicken Satay Spaghetti Squash Salad

I used spaghetti squash for a pasta like element. I love spaghetti squash……it’s healthy, easy to make, and lends itself to lots of flavors. Some colorful cabbage, carrots, and green onions , along with the spaghetti squash make the salad base.

Peanut sauce, how do I love thee let me count the ways………slightly spicy, smooth, and peanut buttery, the perfect sauce for this salad.

Chicken Satay Spaghetti Squash Salad

I grilled the marinaded chicken on a grill pan, but please use your outdoor grill if you can.

I tossed the peanut sauce with the spaghetti squash, cabbage salad base and topped with the grilled chicken after slicing it. Some cashews add crunch and cilantro a touch of green.

Chicken Satay Spaghetti Squash Salad

This salad is good either room temperature or cold and makes it a perfect take along salad for a get-together or to pack as a work day lunch.

Use up that spaghetti squash that is setting your counter or get out and buy one……you need to make Chicken Satay Spaghetti Squash Salad.

Chicken Satay Spaghetti Squash Salad Collage

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Chicken Satay Spaghetti Squash Salad

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Yield: 4

Ingredients

Scale
  • Dressing
  • • ¼ cup peanut butter (preferably smooth)
  • • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • • 1½ tablespoons sriracha
  • • Juice of one lime
  • • 6 tablespoons coconut milk
  • • 2 tablespoons water
  • • ¼ tsp salt
  • Salad
  • • 1 roasted spaghetti squash
  • • 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
  • • 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
  • • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • • 4 green onions, sliced
  • Satay Chicken
  • • 4-6 chicken tenders, grilled and sliced
  • • Salt and pepper
  • • 1½ tsp curry powder
  • • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • • Non stick coconut spray
  • Garnish
  • • 3 tablespoons cashews, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoon cilantro, chopped


Instructions

  1. Mix dressing ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
  2. Place both cabbages, spaghetti squash carrots in a bowl, add ¼ tsp salt, toss to combine and set aside for 5-10 minutes to wilt lightly.
  3. Mix curry powder, soy sauce, and brown sugar until blended, add chicken tenders and toss to coat.
  4. Spray grill pan or skillet with coconut spray and heat over high heat. Cook the chicken for 3 minutes until golden, then transfer to a plate.
  5. Toss all salad ingredients with dressing. Slice chicken tenders and place on top of salad. Garnish with cashews. Serve at room temperature or warm.

 

Farro Enchilada Casserole

This post is for my friend Lindsay from the Brandywine. Farro Enchilada Casserole is a healthy lightened up casserole that is I think is close to Vegan with the exception of the cheese.

Farro Enchilada Casserole

As I researched Vegan, I found that some eat cheese and some don’t. So, if you are non-cheese vegan you can leave the cheese out, but I think it adds to the dish.

Farro Enchilada Casserole

I tried farro a while back and fell in love with it.It is often used as a substitute for pasta or rice. Farro is a grain with a nutty flavor similar to brown rice. It is rich in fiber, magnesium and vitamins A, B, C, and E. Anything that tastes like rice is OK with me. Plus it only takes minutes in my pressure cooker…..yeah I’m still on that craze!

Farro Enchilada Casserole

You can’t go wrong with a Mexican theme for any meal and I am a enchilada lover…….even with no meat. Black beans, corn, enchilada sauce, chilies, cumin and chili power added to cooked farro, then baked with or with out cheese. Can’t you just smell those spices…….

Tomatoes, avocado, and green onions for garnish…….so tasty you won’t miss the meat.

Farro Enchilada Casserole

This dish makes plenty, so we had leftovers. For you carnivores……… day two recipe……..make burritos.

We grilled chicken tenders, sliced them added them to the warmed casserole. Wrapped them in tortillas, with extra cheese and salsa……..they were awesome.

Farro Enchilada Casserole is a vegan/vegetarian dream come true recipe and on day two can be revamped to satisfy those who love the meat!

Chicken Enchilada Casserole Collage

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Farro Enchilada Casserole

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Yield: 6

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup farro
  • 1 (10-ounce) can Old El Paso™ mild enchilada sauce
  • 1 (4.5-ounce) can Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles, drained
  • 1 -11 ounce can corn, drained
  • 1 – 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded, divided
  • 1/2 avocado, seeded, peeled and diced
  • 1 Roma tomato, dice
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • Cilantro for garnish


Instructions

  1. Cook farro according to package directions.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 2 quart baking dish with nonstick spray.
  3. In a large bowl, combine farro, enchilada sauce, green chiles, corn, black beans, cilantro, cumin and chili powder; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in 1 cup Mexican blend cheese.
  4. Spread farro mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Place into oven and bake until bubbly and cheeses have melted, about 15 minutes.
  5. Serve immediately, garnished with avocado, tomato, and cilantro if desired.