6.03.2011

Of Chums and Chicken, Craisin, and Cashew Bowtie Pasta Salad

My dear friend Carli came for a visit yesterday. We've been trying to plan a get-together since...Well since I moved to Utah four months ago! It really was getting rather ridiculous that we couldn't seem to coordinate our schedules together to make it happen.

Psst...

It was 93% my fault.

With Carli's help, I finally admitted something to myself: I am busy. I went and got a life after all. That's all well and good, but it makes me sad to be "too busy" to simply have a lunch/play date with a friend. There's something wrong with the world when you begin to feel like you don't have time for friends.

I'm glad we finally made it work out. Thanks for coming Carli!

And thanks for being so patient with me and my fickle scheduling skills.

And thanks for liking the lunch I made!



Anyone want the recipe???

This is a great spring/summer salad! My little sister Camille served this at her wedding reception. It's a perfect combination of savory and sweet, crunchy and soft. If you give it a try let me know how you like it!

Chicken, Craisin, and Cashew Bow-Tie Pasta Salad or 3 C Salad

4 cups cooked chicken breasts, diced (*Feeling lazy? Use an already-cooked rotisserie chicken from the store. Just pull off the meat and dice it.)
6 cups bow-tie pasta, cooked al-dente (*I think the trick to this salad is to make sure the pasta is really, truly al dente. Cook it until it seems to still have a bit of "crunch" to it in the middle. Trust me. It works!)
1 and 1/2 cups green grapes, sliced in half

1 and 1/2 cups red grapes, sliced in half
2 (5 ounce) cans water chestnuts, drained and quartered
(*eh...I would leave this out.)
1 (10 ounce) can pineapple tidbits, drained (*Leave this out too. Or don't. Whatever.)
2 cups celery, thinly sliced
1/2 cup scallions, thinly sliced
(green onions)
2 cups cashews, whole and halves
2 cups craisins
(dried cranberries)

Dressing:

1 (16 ounce) bottle Hidden Valley brand coleslaw dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Miracle Whip

How to:
(Hint: This a great salad to make the night before. Giving it time to soak up the dressing makes a world of difference.)

1. In a large bowl mix all salad ingredients together, except cashews and craisins
2. Whip together dressing ingredients.
3. Toss dressing with the mixture in the large bowl.
4. Mix in cashews and craisins right before serving.

10 comments:

Myya said...

Oooohhhh I'm gonna try this, that sounds yummy (minus the celery).

So Glad you guys were able to get together. Isn't it crazy how quickly weeks or months can go by when you are raising little ones & life just happens.

Lisa said...

YUM!!! I'd agree about the 2 things you left out, though... But it looks soooo good!

The Booth Family said...

I can't belive I forgot about this recipe. Thanks, I have a family reunion this Saturday and was supposed to make some kind of Pasta salad :)

Macey said...

That looks so good!
Glad you got to spend time with your friend!

K Lind said...

I'm glad you and Carli got to play! I love you both!

Amy said...

Being busy is the pits. I haven't blogged or read blogs in such a long time, it just gets frustrating. For instance, I am still trying to figure out a time when you and I can meet up. Sigh.
That salad looks incredible!

Bethany said...

I have a recipe very similar to this. Except mine says to use chopped apples and says nothing about craisins. Either way is divine. I love it. And we use mayo instead of miracle whip - but I'm sure it tastes about the same. This is our favorite summer dinner. :)

shortmama said...

YUMMY that looks good!

Carli W. said...

It was delicious!

Unknown said...

just stayed up and made this for dinner tomorrow - it's Es bday and wanted a true summer dish and a summer day (knock on wood about the weather). thanks ev

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