Recipe

Chilled Pasta Salad with Chicken, Pears, Blue Cheese, and Basil

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Photo by Garden Gate Kate

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe Using Fresh Basil
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Garden Gate Kate's Notes: Basil is usually paired with mozzarella cheese but this chunky pasta salad marries basil with blue cheese. The chicken meat absorbs the sweet juice from fresh pears. A simple vinaigrette...
Basil is usually paired with mozzarella cheese but this chunky pasta salad marries basil with blue cheese. The chicken meat absorbs the sweet juice from fresh pears. A simple vinaigrette of Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, and honey brings together the entire ensemble with a medley of complimentary flavors.

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Serves 4

1 pound whole wheat fusilli pasta Ask a question about this ingredient

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken Ask a question about this ingredient

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Ask a question about this ingredient

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar Ask a question about this ingredient

1 tablespoon honey Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Ask a question about this ingredient

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Ask a question about this ingredient

1 pound pears, quartered and cored Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 pound crumbled blue cheese Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn in half Ask a question about this ingredient

Cook pasta according to package directions. When fusilli is done, drain in a colander and chill under cold running water. Drain again.
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In a large bowl, stir together Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, honey, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Add chicken, pears, blue cheese, basil leaves, and fusilli. Toss and serve.
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1 Comment on Chilled Pasta Salad with Chicken, Pears, Blue Cheese, and Basil

Synky added 2 months ago

Wow!!! Everyone absolutely loved this salad! The dressing combination is a really nice blend. The local store didn't have a rotisserie chicken, but they had a chicken in tomato sauce which worked really well. Pears are a nice touch, I chopped them up pretty well, which made them juice! For us this portion is enough for 8-10 servings. Thank you!