Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Taste for Tuesday


Why do I have a picture of an empty bowl? Because that is what the dish looks like minutes after you serve it. And, I have never taken a picture of the salad...

I had just had my first baby when a neighbor brought over this pasta salad for us. I licked the bowl, seriously, literally. It is super yum and easy. It is the meal I usually prepare when making dinner to take to a family.

Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad

4-6 chicken breast halves, sprinkled with lemon pepper and grilled
1 package of pasta (penne or bowtie), cooked and rinsed with cool water
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 bunch spinach, cleaned and torn (I often use a bag a baby spinach - easier)
1 red and/or 1 yellow pepper, chopped
1/2 c. almonds, sugared and toasted (see below)

1. Grill chicken and cut into strips, then slice into bite-sized pieces (it is suggested 4-6 chicken breasts but really depends on size)
2. Add all the ingredients together with dressing and toss just before serving. Serves about 8.

To make sugared almonds, you'll want to use slivered or chopped almonds. Put them in a non-stick fry pan with a couple tablespoonfuls of sugar and less than a tablespoonful of water. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until nicely toasted. Keep an eye on them, it is easy to go from almost toasted to can't-eat'em burned! Let cool. Sprinkle on tossed salad.

Dressing:

Combine and process in blender:
1/4c. sesame seeds
1/3 c. red wine vinegar
1/3 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. canola oil
1/4 t. salt
1/4 - 1/2 t. ground pepper
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
3 T. sugar

~mavis
image found here

11 comments:

Tracy said...

It sounds delicious! I'll try it out in my "test" kitchen.

Christy said...

This looks incredibly yummy. And I love that bowl too.

we chirp said...

It is really yum, you will lick the bowl. Let me know what you think after you try it.
~mavis

Anonymous said...

Yum! I'll let you know after I make it. But, how many does this feed? We only have a few mouths in our house.

Amanda said...

This is nuts: I was just telling someone today to make this very salad for a family function she has tonight! I told her you brought it to me once when I was sick and it's heaven. How ironic. Glad I actually have the recipe, now.

we chirp said...

Serves about 8, really good left overs.

Lindsey said...

Can't wait to try it in my new kitchen...And I have that same bowl, so hopefully mine will be empty after - and look just like yours!

Christy said...

Okay - where'd you guys get that bowl?

Miss(Michelle) said...

This actually looks like a salad I would eat..not to many flavors. I need things simple to the palate. did I spell that right???
Now if my kids try to use that excuse...it doesn't work..they have to eat what I make them...I will try this salad on them this weekend...they are not salad eaters...but maybe this will work.

Angel said...

I absolutely love this salad and often crave it. The sugared almonds are divine and the dressing is heaven. I didn't make it but I too liked the bowl or plate or whatever it was on.

The Clark said...

Okay, I tried this out yesterday & it was totally yummy. Proof...I ate it for:

Lunch yesterday
Dinner yesterday
Breakfast this morning
Lunch today

The dressing is heaven. I will make a little extra next time to add when I eat it as leftovers (you know, it gets a little drier with time)