Gluten Free Mandarin Pasta Salad

Gluten Free Mandarin Pasta Salad* 425 calories

*Now dairy free!

This is one of our family favorites for a special weekend treat or for a holiday dinner. Sometimes, we make it just because, especially in the summer! Making it takes about an hour, so it's not quick, but then you have a lot of leftovers to snack on for a few days. It's totally worth the effort. 

Dressing:

1 teaspoon fresh, finely chopped ginger root 

1 garlic clove, pressed

1/3 cup rice vinegar

¼ cup orange juice

¼ cup olive oil

1 teaspoon sesame seed oil

2 teaspoons sugar or 5 drops stevia

For the rest of the dressing ingredients, use the below items if you are dairy free. Or, to make it faster, use a packet of Lipton Onion soup mix:

¼ cup dried onion flakes

2 Tbsp beef bullion granules

¼ tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp celery seed

1/8 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp black pepper

Salad:

8 ounces gluten free pasta, cooked, rinsed and drained

½ cucumber

½ cup red bell pepper

1/3 cup coarse chopped red onion

1 package (6 ounces) baby spinach leaves

1 can mandarin orange segments

2 cups diced, cooked chicken (season with oil, salt and pepper)

Combine all ingredients for dressing and set aside. Combine salad ingredients and chicken in large bowl and toss with dressing. Serve immediately.