Mandarin Pasta Salad

Name: Mandarin Pasta Salad
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients: 1 tsp (5 mL) fresh gingerroot, peeled; 1 garlic clove, pressed; ⅓ cup (75 mL) rice vinegar or white wine vinegar; ¼ cup (60 mL) orange juice; ¼ cup (60 mL) vegetable oil; 1 tsp (5 mL) sesame oil; 2 tbsp (15mL) French Onion Dip Seasoning Mix or 1 oz. (30 g) Onion Dip & Soup Mix; 2 tsp (10 mL) sugar; 8 oz. (250 g) uncooked bow tie pasta; ½ cucumber; ½ cup (125 mL) diced red bell pepper; ½ cup (125 mL) coarsely chopped red onion; 1 pkg (6 oz./175 g) fresh baby spinach leaves; 1 can (11 oz./330 g) mandarin orange segments, drained; 2 cups (500 mL) diced cooked chicken; ½ cup (125 mL) sliced almonds, toasted

This fresh, Asian-inspired main dish is ideal for impromptu entertaining.

Ingredients

1 tsp (5 mL) fresh gingerroot, peeled
1 garlic clove, pressed
⅓ cup (75 mL) rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
¼ cup (60 mL) orange juice
¼ cup (60 mL) vegetable oil
1 tsp (5 mL) sesame oil
2 tbsp (15mL) French Onion Dip Seasoning Mix or 1 oz. (30 g) Onion Dip & Soup Mix
2 tsp (10 mL) sugar

8 oz. (250 g) uncooked bow tie pasta
½ cucumber
½ cup (125 mL) diced red bell pepper
½ cup (125 mL) coarsely chopped red onion
1 pkg (6 oz./175 g) fresh baby spinach leaves
1 can (11 oz./330 g) mandarin orange segments, drained
2 cups (500 mL) diced cooked chicken
½ cup (125 mL) sliced almonds, toasted

Directions

For the dressing, finely grate the gingerroot using the Cup Zester. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the gingerroot, garlic pressed with the Garlic Press, vinegar, orange juice, vegetable oil, sesame oil, seasoning mix and sugar. Cover; refrigerate until ready to use.
For the salad, cook the pasta according to package directions in the 8-qt. (7.6-L) Stainless Steel Stock Pot drain and rinse under cold running water. Place pasta in a serving bowl.
Meanwhile, remove the seeds from the cucumber using the Pepper Corer. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise and slice on the No. 3 thickness of the Rapid-Prep Mandoline. Add the cucumber, bell pepper, onion, spinach, mandarian oranges, chicken and almonds to pasta. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Serve immediately.