Meaty Asparagus Pasta Salad With Meat Food

ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place asparagus in a large saucepan with enough water to cover; cook until crisp-tender. Drain and cool. In a large bowl, combine asparagus with the remaining ingredients; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight.

ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD WITH ITALIAN DRESSING

Steps:

• For the dressing: Whisk together all of the ingredients in a medium bowl until combined. Set aside.
• For the pasta salad: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, just until al dente. Add the asparagus and cook it with the pasta for 1 more minute. Drain the pasta and asparagus then rinse with cold water and drain thoroughly.
• Transfer the pasta and asparagus to a large bowl. Stir in the onions and tomatoes. Pour the dressing over the pasta, toss to combine, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to overnight. When ready to serve, stir in the Parmesan and enjoy cold or at room temperature.

CREAMY ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 3 minutes less than the package directions. Add asparagus and continue cooking until the pasta and asparagus are just tender, 3 minutes more. Drain and return to the pot.
• Meanwhile, whisk milk, mustard, flour, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant and lightly browned, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Whisk in the milk mixture. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tarragon, lemon zest and juice.
• Stir the sauce into the pasta-asparagus mixture. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until the sauce is thick, creamy and coats the pasta, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan. Divide the pasta among 4 bowls and top with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 359 calories; 10 g fat (4 g sat, 4 g mono); 18 mg cholesterol; 55 g carbohydrate; 18 g protein; 7 g fiber; 602 mg sodium; 467 mg potassium.
• Nutrition bonus: Folate (38% daily value), Calcium (30% dv), Vitamin C & Zinc (20% dv).
• Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 1/2 fat; 3 Carbohydrate Servings.

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.

MEATY ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD WITH MEAT

Steps:

• Put the pieces of asparagus stem in a steamer basket & steam for 8 to 10 minutes before adding the top pieces, then steam another 5 to 7 minutes or until all is crisp-tender. Drain & cool.
• In a large bowl, comgine asparagus & the remaining ingredients, tossing to coat.
• Cover & refrigerate 3 to 4 hours or overnight.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Add pasta to a large pot of boiling salted water and cook until al dente. Drain in a colander and let cool.
• Meanwhile, slice asparagus on the bias into 1/2-inch pieces. Place the asparagus on a sheet tray and drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Place in oven and roast for 10 minutes, until slightly tender. Remove and let cool.
• In a small bowl, combine shallot, garlic, mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Whisk in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add chives.
• Add pasta and roasted asparagus to a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss. Add the crumbled goat cheese, toss and serve.

SUPREME PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Mix salad dressing with seasoning.
• Place pasta, vegetables, cheese and meat in large salad bowl. Add dressing and seasoning; toss gently to coat.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or until ready to serve. (I ALWAYS refrigerate overnight-its better the next day.) Toss before serving.
• (For the pasta, I cook to al dente, and rinse thoroughly with cold water to chill.).

ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD -- VEGETARIAN

Steps:

• Put the pieces of asparagus stem in a steamer basket & steam for 8 to 10 minutes before adding the top pieces, then steam another 5 to 7 minutes or until all is crisp-tender. Drain & cool.
• In a large bowl, combine asparagus & the remaining ingredients, tossing to coat.
• Cover & refrigerate 3 to 4 hours or overnight.

ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD WITH PARMESAN DRESSING

Steps:

• Boil pasta in water until firm-tender (do not overcook, leave firm!) drain, and rinse with cold water; set aside.
• Steam asparagus until crisp-tender; drain and plunge into very cold or ice water; drain and pat dry with a paper towel.
• Place all dressing ingredients in a blender, and blend until well mixed (adjusting all ingredients to suit taste).
• Place the veggies and the cooked pasta shells in a large bowl; toss to combine.
• Pour the dressing over; toss well to coat.
• Add in slivered almonds and mix.
• Chill in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours before serving.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Add pasta to a large pot of boiling salted water and cook until al dente. Drain in a colander and let cool.
• Meanwhile, slice asparagus on the bias into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Place the asparagus on a sheet tray and drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
• Place in oven and roast for 10 minutes, until slightly tender. Remove and let cool.
• In a small bowl, combine shallot, garlic, mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes.
• Whisk in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add chives.
• Add pasta and roasted asparagus to a large bowl.
• Drizzle with dressing and toss.
• Add the crumbled goat cheese, toss and let sit for 30 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a stockpot.
• Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
• Drain pasta and keep warm.
• Wash asparagus and remove and discard tough ends.
• Slice asparagus into one inch pieces.
• Cook asparagus in a large skillet in shallow water and steam for 1-2 minutes until crisp tender.
• Drain well and reserve.
• Chop chicken into one inch pieces.
• Cut grape tomatoes in half.
• Combine Italian dressing ingredients in a large bowl.
• Add cooked pasta and asparagus to the Italian dressing and mix together until everything is evenly coated.
• Add chicken, tomatoes, basil, olives, and cheese and stir to combine.
• Serve pasta salad warm or at room temperature.