Macaroni Salad Creole Style Food

CAJUN MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Soak the red onion in a bowl of ice water for 15 minutes; drain and pat dry. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook as the label directs. Drain, transfer to a bowl and toss with 3 tablespoons milk. Let cool.
• Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, pickle brine, sugar, hot sauce, remaining 1 tablespoon milk and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the macaroni, red onion, bell peppers, celery, celery leaves and parsley; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Stir again before serving; season with salt.

POLYNESIAN-INSPIRED MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook Spam until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Cool completely., For dressing, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine pineapple, red pepper, water chestnuts, cooled Spam and macaroni. Add dressing; gently toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving. Top with green onions before serving.

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.
• In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in the onion, celery, green pepper, carrot, pimentos and macaroni. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving, but preferably overnight.

CHEF JOHN'S CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk 1 cup mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until well blended; whisk in sugar. Stir in celery, red bell pepper, carrot, onions, and jalapeno and poblano peppers. Refrigerate until macaroni is ready to dress.
• Bring a large pot of well salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain but do not rinse. Allow macaroni to drain in a colander about 5 minutes, shaking out moisture from time to time. Pour macaroni into large bowl; toss to separate and cool to room temperature. Macaroni should be sticky.
• Pour dressing over macaroni and stir until dressing is evenly distributed. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight to allow dressing to absorb into the macaroni.
• Stir salad before serving. Mix 1 tablespoon mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon water into salad for fresher look.

CREOLE SHRIMP AND SWEET PEA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to instrucions on box, rinse well and cool.
• Combine cooled pasta, shrimp ( I suggest medium-sized chilled shrimp), cucumber, tomato, and fresh (not canned) or frozen peas.
• Combine all ingredients following the 2 cups fresh peas and mix well.
• Toss this mixture thoroughly with the pasta, shrimp, cukes, tomatoes, and peas.
• If you're worried about the intensity of the cayenne pepper, add it last and add a little at a time. It tends to be hot! But oh so good!
• Chill well for at least 5 hours so that the spices can mingle .
• Then serve on a bed of Romaine.

MâCHE SALAD WITH CREOLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Crumble yolk into a blender, then add vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper and blend until combined well. With motor running, add oil in a slow stream, blending until combined well.
• Toss mâche with vinaigrette just before serving.

GRECIAN-INSPIRED MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely. , For dressing, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar, oregano, zest, mustard, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine feta, cucumber, onion, tomatoes, olives and macaroni. Add dressing; gently toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.