Links to this week's
Menu and Recipes

   Menu
   Day 1
   Day 2
   Day 3
   Day 4
   Day 5
   Day 6
   Shopping List


chicken asparagus salad
Chicken and Asparagus Salad with Pasta

Menu Plan for the week of May 3, 2013: Day 5 Recipes

Warm Chicken and Asparagus Salad with Pasta

Cooking time:  30 minutes for menu      Cooking schedule: see below for instructions

     I used whole wheat penne for this salad.  It's a bit more firm than regular pasta and I prefer it for salads. Start cooking the vegetables when the pasta is almost done.

Chicken and Asparagus Salad with Pasta      Preparation and cooking time:  30 minutes
     Another dish that straddles two genres - not quite a pasta; not quite a salad.  But it's perfect for spring, featuring: asparagus, spinach, green garlic and cherry tomatoes. 

2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
6oz (180gr) asparagus
3oz (90gr) spinach
3/4 cup (3oz, 90gr) cherry tomatoes
3 green garlic     substitute 3 green onions and 1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tbs soy sauce
2 tbs sherry vinegar
4 tsp olive oil divided
1 cup pasta, bite-size, penne, rigatoni

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain.
To prepare:  Cut chicken into bit-size pieces. In a medium bowl mix 2 tsp oil, soy sauce, cumin and paprika.  Add chicken and stir well to combine. Set aside to marinate.
Prepare spinach, wash and dry if needed. Trim asparagus and cut into 1 1/2" (4cm) lengths. Cut cherry tomatoes in half. Trim green garlic and slice, using most of the green tops. 
To cook:  Heat remaining 2 tsp oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus, green garlic and sauté until asparagus is crisp-tender, 5 - 7 minutes.  Remove to a plate.  Add chicken and all marinade to skillet and sauté, stirring, until cooked through.  Reduce heat, return asparagus, green garlic to skillet and heat through.  Add spinach, cherry tomatoes, pasta and vinegar to skillet.  Remove from heat and toss to combine.  Serve. 

Cooking schedule: 30 minutes
Assemble all food, utensils and serving dishes
Utensils: measuring cups, spoons, knives,
large nonstick skillet, medium bowl, pot and colander
for pasta, strainer for spinach, plate

Put water on high heat for pasta
Mix soy sauce, oil, spices
Cut chicken, add to marinade, stir, set aside
Wash, drain spinach if needed
Trim, cut asparagus
Cut cherry tomatoes

Trim, slice green garlic
Cook pasta
   Give pasta 5 minute start
Heat oil in skillet
Add asparagus, green garlic, sauté
Remove to plate
Add chicken, marinade to skillet, sauté
Drain pasta
Return asparagus, green garlic to skillet, heat
Add pasta, tomatoes, spinach, vinegar to skillet
Remove skillet from heat, toss gently, Serve

Share this:

----------------------

Get 7 Dinner Menus, Recipes, Shopping List each Thursday by e-mail: