This web site was my inspiration after a Google image search: http://koshercuisine.blogspot.com/2009/01/pasta-salad-with-broccoli-and-pine-nuts.html .. I've never seen this web site before, but it had a few key needs, namely no diary and no MSG-laden spice packets or salad dressings. Beyond that, I used my own methods and went with what we had in the fridge, and it turned out wonderfully enough to deserve its own blog post.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb whole wheat rotini or other juice-holding pasta
- 1-2 heads of broccoli, cut into small pieces
- 1 chicken breast, filleted
- 1/4 c olive oil
- 2+ cloves minced fresh garlic
- 1/4 c chopped nuts
- The above recipe recommends pine nuts or almonds, but I only had mixed nuts and they worked splendidly
- 2 strips bacon, finely chopped
- 1/2+ c crasins
- 1/3 c chopped parsley
- 2 Tbsp finely minced red onion
- 1/2 - 1 c mayonnaise
- 1/4 c +/- white wine vinegar
- salt and pepper
Preparation
Cook pasta according to directions, rinse with cold water.
Bring another pot of water to boil and blanch broccoli. I made sure it was still firm and bright green when I was done - so no longer than a minute and a half. Scoop out broccoli and rinse with cold water.
Bring the broccoli water back to a boil and add the halved chicken breast. Poach until cooked through, rinse with cold water, and then chop into 1/2" pieces.
Heat olive oil in the pasta pot, saute minced garlic and chopped nuts for a few minutes over medium-low heat. (I didn't brown the garlic.)
In a large bowl mix the following ingredients together: Pasta, broccoli, diced chicken, olive oil/garlic/chopped nuts, diced bacon, crasins, minced parsley, and minced red onion. Add mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.
