Asparagus Grape Tomato Salmon Pasta Salad Food

PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS AND CHERRY TOMATOES (SPRING)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
• In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus, season with the salt and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft. Add the cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour the chicken stock into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the asparagus mixture to a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and 1/2 of the Parmesan. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan and chopped basil.

ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Heat shallot and oil in microwave safe covered dish for 30 seconds or in a small pan on the stovetop over medium low heat for 5 minutes. Allow oil to cool back to room temperature.
• Hold a spear of asparagus at each end and snap it. The spear breaks where the tender tops meet the tough bottoms. Line the broken spear up with the bundle of cleaned asparagus. Cut the spears using the guideline of the snapped spear. Par boil the asparagus tops in 1 inch simmering water covered for 3 to 5 minutes. Cool under cold running water and drain. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces on an angle and add to a bowl. Combine chopped, cooked asparagus with shredded endive, red bell pepper, cooked pasta, green peas and chopped parsley. The peas will defrost as you toss salad. Pour vinegar into a small bowl and whisk in cooled shallot oil. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Season salad with salt and pepper, to your taste and toss again.

ASPARAGUS & TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Blanch asparagus briefly in boiling water on stove top, then plunge into ice cold water to stop them from cooking.
• Chop asparagus into bite sized pieces.
• In large bowl combine asparagus and tomato.
• Add basil, sea salt and pepper.
• Stir in feta, toss, and refrigerate.
• Before serving, toss with balsamic vinegar.

FRESH TOMATO-BASIL-ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions, adding asparagus, cut into 2" pieces, during the last 2 minutes of cooking time. Drain and rinse under cool water.
• Stir together 1 cup bottled lemon vinaigrette and chopped basil. Pour 3/4 cup of dressing over pasta mixture. Stir in tomatoes, and salt and pepper to taste. COver and chill 1 hour. Toss with remaining dressing just before serving. Garnish with additional freshly basil.

SALMON PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss the pasta, salmon, tomatoes, cucumber and onion. For dressing, combine the oil, lemon or lime juice, dill, garlic, salt and pepper; mix well. Pour over pasta. Cover and chill. Serve over lettuce.

SPRING PASTA SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS, TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Put up a large pot of salted water for cooking the pasta and bring it to a boil.
• Add the asparagus and blanch it until just tender, about 3 minutes.
• Scoop the asparagus from the water with a large strainer spoon and place in a colander. Run cold water over it to stop the cooking process, and to preserve the bright green color. Drain well and slice into small pieces on the diagonal, leaving the tips whole.
• Bring the water back to a rapid boil and cook the penne until just al dente (tender but slightly firm to the bite). Run the pasta under cold water and drain very well.
• In a large serving bowl, add the pasta, the blanched asparagus and all the remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper and toss well until all the pasta is well coated with dressing. Taste for seasoning. This is best served at room temperature.
• Note: Another lovely addition to this pasta is about 3/4 cup freshly shelled spring peas. Blanch them for 1 minute in the boiling pasta water after you blanch the asparagus. Drain well and add them to the bowl along with the other ingredients.

SALMON AND ASPARAGUS PASTA

Steps:

• Flake the fish with a fork or your fingers and set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
• Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and sweat them for about 2 minutes, until they begin to soften. Add the asparagus and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, until the asparagus is just tender.
• Whisk the eggs, milk and cheese together in a large mixing bowl. Set the bowl next to the sink to access immediately after draining the pasta.
• Drop the pasta in the boiling water and cook to al dente. Drain, shake firmly 2 or 3 times to eliminate excess water, and immediately transfer to the mixing bowl with the egg mixture. Toss constantly for 30 seconds or so, coating all of the pasta with the sauce as it thickens. Add the asparagus and onions and toss to combine. Gently fold in the flakes of fish.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with additional Parmigiano-Reggiano, if you like.

PASTA, ASPARAGUS & MARINATED TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a pan of boiling salted water according to packet instructions. Rinse under cold water, then drain well.
• Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, spring onion, oil vinegar and mustard in a large bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Leave to stand while the pasta cooks.
• Cut the tips from the asparagus. Halve the stems lengthways, then cut into 3cm lengths. Place the tips and stems in a heatproof bowl and pour over enough boiling water to cover. Stand for 1 minute, then rinse under cold water and drain.
• Add the asparagus and drained pasta to the tomato mixture, season to taste with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Divide among serving bowls and serve.

ASPARAGUS & GRAPE TOMATO SALMON PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 425 degrees.
• 2. Place the asparagus, halved tomatoes and onion onto a large, rimmed baking sheet, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, drizzle with the 2 tablespoons olive oil, toss to coat. Spread out into a single layer, place in preheated oven and cook for 15 minutes; toss; cook an additional 5 minutes; set aside to cool slightly.
• 3. Meanwhile, bring 2 - 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add in the orecchiette and cook according to package directions; drain, rinse with cool water; set aside.
• 4. In a medium bowl, place the garlic, mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegar, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper; whisk to combine. Stream in the extra virgin olive oil, whisking continuously to combine.
• 5. In a large bowl, place the orecchiette, roasted vegetables, salmon and quartered tomatoes, toss together. Add in the lemon vinaigrette, toss to coat.
• 6. To serve, place pasta onto serving platter or bowl, top with shaved parmesan and enjoy!