Roasted Onion Pasta Salad With Peppered Cheese Crisps

@ngdarlen's Note:

Another Southern Living favorite!!This easy salad makes a beautiful presentation and is good for a light lunch or to carry to a picnic or other covered dish gathering.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 2 onions , halved and cut into 1/4 inch strips
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt , divided
• 1 teaspoon pepper , divided
• 1 (6 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts , undrained
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta , cooked
• ½ lb ham , cut into 1/4 inch strips
• 3 celery ribs , cut into 1/4 inch-thick slices
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1 (15 ounce) can extra long asparagus spears , drained (or use fresh that have been steamed till tender)
• 6 plum tomatoes , sliced
• 1 (4 ounce) package blue cheese , crumbled

PEPPERED CHEESE CRISPS

• 2 6-inch pitas
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic , pressed
• ¼ cup refrigerated parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

Directions:

1. Drizzle onion strips with oil in a 9 inch square pan,sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
2. Toss well.
3. Bake onion at 450 degree for 20 minutes and set aside.
4. Drain artichoke hearts,reserving 3 tablespoons liquid.
5. Stir together mayo,remaining salt and pepper,reserved artichoke liquid,and lemon juice.
6. Toss with onion,artichoke hearts,pasta and next 4 ingredients.
7. Cover and chill.
8. Arrange asparagus spears and tomatoe slices around a large serving platter.
9. Spoon pasta mixture in center of platter.
10. Sprinkle with blue cheese,and serve with peppered cheese crisps.
11. Peppered Cheese Crisps directions--.
12. Cut each pita into 6 wedges and seperate.
13. Stir together mayo and next 3 ingredients,spread mixture evenly over wedges.
14. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or till edges are browned.

Reviews

[booper]

I liked this- was easier to make than I thought- I made it warm for hubby and added chicken breast instead of ham ~ I had it cold the next day and it was even better I think- gave it a little time for the flavors to blend...i would cut back on the lemon juice next time though- it was a lil bit sour with the artichoke juice in there as well- oh I left out the asparagus-couldnt bring myself to eat them- even with this recipe..:) thanks for a good one!

[Amy Slife]

Wow, is what I can say to this recipe! Amazing tastes together. My family loved it!