Mandarin Pasta Salad

This is one of my favorite pasta salads. The colors are vibrant, the flavors are fresh. Perfect for a summer get-together.

(Isn't it summer yet?)

Mandarin Pasta Salad

Dressing
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 clove garlic, diced
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp sesame oil
1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
2 tsp sugar

Mix well and refrigerate.

Salad
8 oz bowtie pasta, cooked
1/2 of a cucumber, seeded and sliced
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped red onion
6 oz. baby spinach
11 oz can mandarin oranges, well drained
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted (350 for 8 minutes)
Toasted sesame seeds (optional, I think they go well with the sesame oil in the dressing)

Toss and serve immediately.

To make this salad more of a meal, add 2 cups cooked diced chicken.

10 comments:

Morgan@LittleHouseofVeggies said...

YUM! I will definitely be trying this one! Looks like something I will love!

Jacqui said...

I swooned over this salad several years ago when you made it for a get-together, and I even remember the lovely silver dish you served it in! This salad is yuuuummy! Glad you posted it.

Andrea the Kitchen Witch said...

oh boy does this ever look good!! I will be trying this one for sure!

Summer also knows as the krazy cake lady said...

Looks yummy! Can't wait for a busy summer day. I love making pasta salads and letting "DINNER" sit in the fridge. S I M P L I C I T Y

HorseJumper12341 said...

Gosh this looks good!!! Something easy to make on a college budget too! *dance* Thanks for sharing!

www.yummyanonymous.blogspot.com

Frogger Noob said...

Oh my! That looks delicious (:

Mary Bergfeld said...

It is a lovely recipe, but then they all are. I am new to your blog and had planned only to say hello. I was, however, lured by your earlier posts and stayed far longer than I had planned. I'll be back for seconds. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

Unknown said...

I love this idea! I will definitely be making this. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Oh yum!! I can't wait to try this. :)

Summer also knows as the krazy cake lady said...

Megan I made this for dinner tonight. It is amazing, I know it's gonna be a new staple at my house! I put all the ingredients minus the spinach & dressing in a tupperware in the fridge and now we can dress it and serve as desired.