Naples Greenola

We are an organic Co-Op located in Naples, Florida. Feeding families organically since 2009.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Whatever you got pasta salad

During the hot summer it is always good to have a nice stand by easy meal. I used to always buy those box pasta salads with all the sodium and whatnot and added chicken but they were always a little too rich or salty. Weliked those, but always thought there has to be some way I can make my own that is just as good if not better. So I came across this recipe on the back of a corkscrew pasta box and have made a few modifications. I normally will half the recipe because the entire recipe makes ALOT. So here is the basic recipe with my additions afterward:
Corkscrew Chicken Caesar Salad
Ingredients:
16 oz corkscrew pasta (farfalle works well also)
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken cooked and diced
1/2 lb Roma or vine ripe tomatoes, cut in small wedges
1 bunch green onions, diced
1 1/2 cups creamy Caesar salad dressing
1 cup toasted croutons
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I usually don't even use that)

Directions:
1. Cook the pasta according to package directions
2. Rinse with cold water and drain
3. Place the cooled pasta in a large bowl
4. Stir together tomatoes, green onions, and pasta; add dressing and mix thoroughly
5. Top with croutons and Parmesan cheese

**Okay now I have used regular onions, added avocados, green beans, cucumbers... really you can put whatever vegetables you like to eat. I have not had a bad combination yet. The last batch I made had regular onions diced with green beans, tomatoes, celery, and instead of croutons I toasted up some ripped up stale tortilla wraps with some cheddar cheese on them.**