Dried Fruit Pasta Salad

Submitted by Lori Mama

"Taken from Food Network Canada with slight adjustments."

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 (375 g) package rotini noodles
• 1 cup swiss cheese, diced
• 1⁄2 cup chopped dried apricot
• 1⁄2 cup chopped dates
• 1⁄2 cup sliced almonds, optional
• 1 unpeeled apple, cubed
• 1⁄4 cup chopped raw Baby Spinach or 1/4 cup romain lettuce
• of fresh mint (to garnish) (optional)
• vinaigrette
• 1⁄3 cup orange juice
• 1⁄3 cup olive oil
• 1⁄4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon liquid honey

directions

1. In a saucepan, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes.
2. Combine pasta, apricots, dates, almonds, apples, spinach and Swiss cheese. Add vinaigrette to the pasta salad and mix well.
3. Serve garnished with fresh mint if desired.
4. To make the vinaigrette, whisk together in a bowl orange juice, olive oil, rice vinegar, orange zest and honey.

Reviews

[Sydney Mike]

Made this recipe pretty much as given, although I did leave out the optional mint AND was a bit generous with the orange zest! Absolutely loved the pasta in combination with the cheese & fruits! Very, very refreshing, & Will certainly be making it again! Thanks for sharing the recipe! [Made & reviewed in Everyday Is a Holiday recipe tag]