Mandarin Pasta Salad

These recipes are from Lipton actually, but I got them from a Pampered Chef party back when a friend of mine was a consultant. Ireally love pasta salads!

Mandarin Pasta Salad

Dressing:

1 tsp finely chopped, peeled, fresh gingerroot
1 garlic clove, pressed
1/3 cup rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 envelope Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix
2 tsp. sugar

Whisk together. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Salad:

8 oz. uncooked bowtie pasta
1/2 cucumber, scored, seeded, sliced
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup coarsely chopped red onion
1 pkg. (6 oz.) fresh aby spinach leaves
1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
2 cups diced, cooked chicken
1/2 cup toasted, sliced almonds

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold running water.Place in large bowl.Add eggies, chicken, oranges and almonds to pasta. Pour dressing over salad and oss to coat. Serve immediately.

Pecan Pear Salad

This is another yummy salad recipe I got from my mom. This is my favorite time of year because I can make yummy salads for dinner!

Pecan Pear Salad

Dressing:

2 tbls. fresh raspberries
3/4 cup olive oil
3 Tbls. cider vinegar
2 Tbls.+ 1 tsp. sugar
1/4-1/2 tsp. pepper

Press raspberries through sieve, reserve juice, discard seeds.
Combine dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well.

Salad:

4 medium ripe pears, thinly sliced
2 tsp. lemon juice
8 cups torn salad greens
2/3 cups toasted pecan halves
1/2 cup raspberries
1/3 cup (2 oz.) crumbled feta or blue cheese

Combine pears with lemon juice and drain. Combine salad greens pears, pecans and raspberries. Sprinkle with feta cheese. Drizzle with dressing.

Teriyaki Chicken and Strawberry Salad

This recipe is so yummy! My mom made it for me when she came to stay after Logan was born. I think I have only made it once since then. I actually misplaced the recipe, and just found it! I am totally going to have to make this soon!

** This recipe is made using ingredients from Sam's Club, so think large quantities! Just adjust accordingly to the size you need.

Teriyaki Chicken and Strawberry Salad

1 large bag salad greens
Teriyaki chicken strips (about 13)
2 baskets strawberries, quartered
1 1/2 cups walnuts, chopped
1 1/2-2 cups sun-dried tomato basil feta cheese
1 1/2 red onions, sliced thin
Virginia Brand Vidalia Onion Vinaigrette (1 1/2-2 cups)

Mix all ingredients together, and serve! If you aren't going to eat it all at once, serve the dressing on the side.

** I would probably cut up the chicken into bite sized pieces to make it easier to eat.
** if you can't find tomato basil feta, just use regular feta.

Enjoy!

Pasta, Chicken and Spinach Salad

I was served this fabulous salad at a playdate a few weeks ago. It is seriously soooo yummy! I made it like three times within a week and a half, and have given the recipe out to many people already. It is actually from Cooks.com.

PASTA, SPINACH AND CHICKEN SALAD
3 c. cooked shredded chicken
1 pkg. (12 oz.) bowtie pasta
1/4 c. sesame seeds
1/2 c. salad oil
1/3 c. soy sauce
1/3 c. white wine vinegar
3 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. chopped parsley
1/2 c. thinly sliced green onion
8 c. lightly packed, torn spinach leaves
Cook pasta, drain, rinse.
In small frying pan, combine 1/4 cup oil and sesame seeds. Saute until seeds are golden. Cool. Stir in remaining oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour over cooked, cooled pasta and chicken. Toss gently. Cover and chill 2 hours or overnight. Before serving, add green onions, parsley and spinach. Toss gently. Serves 8+.

* My notes: I made it with parsley the first time, but didn't like the texture. We used the curly pasley, so if you do choose to make this, be sure to buy the flat leaf parsley.You will want to eat many helpings, I promise!