MANDARIN PASTA SPINACH SALAD WITH ASIAN DRESSING

This salad is super tasty with a robust Asian dressing and a mixture of fruits, vegetables and pasta.  I even added some shredded cooked chicken to give it some added protein.  It was a wonderfully tasty, light and healthy dinner!

Serves  4

SALAD INGREDIENTS:

8 oz. bowtie or shell pasta

4 cups spinach leaves

½ cup craisins

1 small can mandarin oranges, drained

1/3 cup cashews, pines nuts or sunflower seeds

¼ cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped

2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded

DRESSING INGREDIENTS: 

1/3 cup teriyaki sauce (the thicker, the better)

1/3 cup rice wine vinegar

½ tsp. garlic powder

½ tsp. onion powder

¼ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. black pepper

1 Tbsp. sugar

½ cup canola oil

DIRECTIONS:

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and rinse with cold water.  Set aside.  

While pasta is boiling, prepare the dressing.  In a jar combine all dressing ingredients.  Cover and shake to combine.  Chill until ready to use. 

In a large bowl, toss together all of the salad ingredients.  Just before serving, pour dressing over salad, toss and serve.   Looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow....so good!

Enjoy!

adapted from: Creme De La Crumb