Penne Spinach Asparagus And Cashew Salad Recipes

ASPARAGUS-SPINACH PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place asparagus in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil; sprinkle with salt. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring after 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain., For dressing, combine onions, vinegar and soy sauce in a blender; cover and process. While processing, gradually add the remaining oil in a steady steam., In a large salad bowl, combine pasta, spinach and asparagus. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cashews and Parmesan cheese.

SPINACH PENNE SALAD

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain again., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, spinach, tomatoes, feta cheese, onions and olives. Add vinaigrette; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS AND CASHEWS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and sesame oil in a wok over low to medium heat. Add ginger, and stir-fry until slightly brown. Add asparagus, and stir-fry for a few minutes before adding soy sauce and cashews. Cook until asparagus is tender but still crisp and bright green, stirring frequently.

PENNE, SPINACH, ASPARAGUS AND CASHEW SALAD

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 3 minutes.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to small bowl. Cool.
• Add pasta to same pot and cook until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain well.
• Transfer pasta to very large bowl.
• Toss with 1 tablespoon oil. Cool.
• Blend cup oil, green onions, vinegar and soy sauce in blender until smooth, about 2 minutes. (Asparagus, pasta and dressing can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately; chill.)
• Pour dressing over pasta.
• Add asparagus, spinach and cashews; toss to coat.
• Season with salt and pepper.

PENNE, SPINACH, ASPARAGUS AND CASHEW SALAD

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to small bowl. Cool. Add pasta to same pot and cook until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain well. Transfer pasta to very large bowl. Toss with 1 tablespoon oil. Cool.
• Blend cup oil, green onions, vinegar and soy sauce in blender until smooth, about 2 minutes. (Asparagus, pasta and dressing can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately; chill.) Pour dressing over pasta. Add asparagus, spinach and cashews; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

PENNE WITH SPINACH SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the penne and cook until it is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes.
• Mince the garlic in a food processor. Add the goat cheese, cream cheese, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and half of the spinach leaves. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set the cheese and spinach mixture aside.
• Meanwhile, place the remaining spinach leaves in a large bowl.
• Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Spoon the pasta atop the spinach leaves in the bowl. Scrape the cheese and spinach mixture over the pasta mixture and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the Parmesan over and serve.

PENNE PASTA SALAD WITH SUN DRIED TOMATOES, ASPARAGUS AND BASIL

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to directions. Drain.
• Saute asparagus tips in garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper until tender. Add to the pasta along with the basil and sun-dried tomatoes. Toss to mix. Adjust seasonings as necessary. Refrigerate 1 hour or longer before serving.

SPINACH CASHEW SALAD

Steps:

• Chop bacon and fry until crisp.
• Drain on paper towel to remove as much excess fat as possible. Wash spinach and lettuce then tear leaves into bite size pieces.
• Place in Salad bowl.
• Add cashew pieces, grated cheese, and crumbled bacon.
• Toss when ready to serve. Serve with poppy seed dressing.
• NOTE: Fat grams may be reduced to 1 gram per serving if bacon and cashews are eliminated.
• Each add approximately 3 grams of fat per serving.
• Poppy Seed Dressing: Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
• Alternate method: finely grate onion, add remaining ingredients and beat with mixer until well blended.