Orange Zested Macaroni Pasta Salad Food

MEDITERRANEAN VINAIGRETTE FOR PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the tahini, olive oil, olives, vinegar, parsley, mustard, shallot, thyme and orange zest in a mixing bowl and whisk until evenly incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.

ARTICHOKE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl toss all of the ingredients. Serve or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• In a 1-quart mason jar, place all of the herbs, zest, chile, and peppercorns. Pour both oils into a saucepan and heat to 200 degrees F. Pour the hot oils into the jar and cover with a kitchen towel. Let stand overnight.
• Place cheesecloth over the top of the jar and replace the outer rim of the lid. Invert and strain oil into desired container.

GREEK PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Rinse with cold water and drain well in a colander set in the sink.
• Whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Set aside. Combine pasta, tomatoes, onion, green and red peppers, cucumber, olives, and feta cheese in a large bowl. Pour vinaigrette over the pasta and mix together. Cover and chill for 3 hours before serving.

MANDARIN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• To make the dressing, whisk together the ginger root, rice vinegar, orange juice, vegetable oil, sesame oil, soup mix, sugar, and garlic until well blended. Cover, and refrigerate until needed.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, and rinse under cold water. Place pasta in a large bowl.
• To make the salad, toss the cucumber, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, carrot, spinach, mandarin oranges, chicken, and almonds with the pasta. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture, and toss again to coat evenly. Serve immediately.

EASY ASIAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Transfer pasta to a serving bowl and toss with olive oil.
• Whisk soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, sesame seeds, chili sauce, and sesame oil together in a bowl until sugar dissolves. Toss soy sauce mixture with pasta; top with green onions, red bell pepper, and snap peas. Refrigerate 30 minutes to overnight to allow flavors to blend. Toss again before serving.

CRAN-ORANGE COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare couscous according to package directions. Fluff with a fork; cool. In a bowl, combine couscous and the next 9 ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together vinaigrette ingredients until blended. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Garnish with additional chopped basil and reserved fennel fronds.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• In a large bowl combine oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt and garlic. Stir in pasta and set aside to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in corn, beans, green pepper, red pepper and 1/2 of the cilantro leaves. Spoon onto a platter and garnish with tomatoes and remaining cilantro. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

ORANGE ZESTED MACARONI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Combine ingredients. Best with lots of black pepper, in my opinion.
• Orange flavor will get stronger as it sits in the fridge. Zesting all the peel from the 1/2 orange will make the orange flavor rather strong, especially if you plan to refrigerate before serving.
• If you don't have a zester, crosshatch an area of orange peel with light cuts from a sharp knife, then "shave" the pieces off. It's very easy and with heavy crosshatching yields results comparable to using a good zester.

ORANGE FRUIT CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing: mix all ingredients, and adjust all ingredients to suit taste.
• For the salad: Mix all ingredients EXCEPT the greens; toss lightly with citrus dressing, chill for about 1-2 hours.
• Divide the salad greens into salad bowls.
• Top or mix with chilled chicken salad/citrus dressing mix.

MEXICAN INSPIRED NO-MAYO MACARONI AND CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Dressing -- In a small bowl, add the salsa, sour cream, lime juice and zest, cilantro, cumin, pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate. NOTE: I start out with 1/2 cup salsa, and 6 tablespoons of sour cream. You can always add more once you dress the salad.
• Pasta -- Simply cook in good salted water according to package directions.
• Vegetables -- In a large bowl, add the chopped green and red pepper, onion and scallions.
• Toss -- Once the past is done, drain and this is one time where I actually rinse my pasta under cold water. Drain well. Add to the bowl with the vegetables and add the dressing and the cheese. Toss well. You can add a bit more sour cream and salsa if necessary. Taste for seasoning and add any more salt and pepper if needed. And remember - this is not a creamy mayo type of salad. This is a healthier light version so there is not as much dressing.
• Serve -- ENJOY!

ZESTY CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse with cold water and drain well. In a large serving bowl, combine the cheese, chicken, peppers, mushrooms, olives, green onions, pepperoni and pasta. , In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Toss before serving.

MEXICAN MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain well.
• Meanwhile, grate peel from limes; place in a small bowl. Squeeze juice from limes; add to peel in bowl.
• Stir in dressing and taco seasoning mix.
• Stir in avocado into dressing mixture.
• In a large serving bowl, toss pasta with all remaining ingredients.
• Pour dressing mixture over salad; toss gently to mix.
• Cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving to blend flavors.