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pasta salad

pasta salad with basil-coated cashew cheese balls

by Jackie Newgent  |  July 3, 2019  |  0 Comments
In the summertime, I thoroughly enjoy a fresh and flavorful Italian-style pasta salad. I often eat it as an entrée rather than a side salad at lunchtime. And I don’t just enjoy eating pasta salad … I love making it. It provides an avenue in which to use leftover grilled, roasted, or raw veggie scraps—and the result is always slightly different to keep me (and everyone else) intrigued.
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orzo & arugula salad with california prunes

by Jackie Newgent  |  March 25, 2018  |  3 Comments
Here’s a twist on pasta salad that’ll be a highlight to any meal. It’s based on whole-wheat orzo and fresh baby arugula and provides a memorable balance of flavors, textures, and colors, along with a naturally sweet pop of California prunes. (Hint: Prunes offer potential bone health benefits!) Altogether, this salad is a delightful way to get fruits and veggies. In fact, it’s vegan—so enjoy it for Meatless Monday and beyond!   Disclosure: (At time of posting) Jackie is a spokesperson for California Prune Board. She created this recipe on their behalf. The recipe is her original creation and is also available at californiadriedplums.org.  
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sesame soba noodle bowl

by Jackie Newgent  |  June 25, 2012  |  3 Comments
Makes 4 servings: 2 cups each Surprisingly, the biggest caloric issue with sesame noodles is often not the sesame oil or the peanut butter … it’s the actual noodles. So here’s how I solve this quandary. Bell peppers basically become part of the noodles to provide fewer calories and bigger flavor. You’ll cook the bell peppers right along with the noodles; so there’s no extra cooking step required either. This cool meal-in-one is a definite winner (for lunch, dinner or a picnic) for my eyes and palate. It was for my summer intern, Sarah Gelman, too (who helped me test this recipe). Hoping you fall in love with this delicious dish like we did. Please let us know what you...
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picnic pagoda salad

by Jackie Newgent  |  May 20, 2012  |  2 Comments
Makes 6 servings: about 1 cup each Time for a backyard barbecue? Planning a picnic? You’ll definitely want to whip up a batch—or two or three—of this scrumptious soiree-friendly side. I’ve taken a creamy macaroni salad recipe like my mother used to make, then I went a bit mad with veggies. So now it’s full of interesting textures, vibrant colors, and memorable flavors … and you can absolutely feel good about eating it. I’ve made it with gluten-free pasta to please more palates. But please do make this recipe your own, if you choose; experiment with other pastas and veggies. Have a spectacular Memorial Day! Calories Saved: 80
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