Spaghetti Angel Salad and Dressing Recipe

Angel Hair Pasta Delight!

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Spaghetti Angel Salad Recipe - (Salads & Slaws)

Summer is synonymous with light, refreshing meals, and what could be more perfect than a vibrant, tangy pasta salad? Today, we're diving into the delightful world of Spaghetti Angel Salad, a classic recipe that has stood the test of time for its simplicity and incredible flavor. This isn't just your average pasta salad; it's a symphony of textures and tastes that will have you coming back for more.

A Nostalgic Favorite with a Modern Twist

Spaghetti Angel Salad, often referred to as "Angel Hair Salad," has been a staple at picnics, potlucks, and backyard barbecues for generations. Its appeal lies in its easy preparation and the way it balances sweet, salty, and acidic notes. The original recipe, often featuring the iconic McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning, is a testament to the power of simple ingredients.

But don't let its simplicity fool you. This salad is incredibly versatile, lending itself to a multitude of variations and additions. Whether you're a purist or an adventurous foodie, there's a version of this salad that's perfect for you.

The Magic of the Ingredients

Let's break down the key components that make this salad so irresistible:

• Angel Hair Pasta: Its delicate strands provide a light and airy base, absorbing the dressing beautifully without becoming heavy. Breaking the pasta into 1-inch pieces ensures that every bite is perfectly balanced.
• Fresh Vegetables: The combination of finely chopped tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions adds a burst of color, flavor, and crunch. The sweetness of the tomatoes, the slight bitterness of the peppers, and the pungent bite of the onions create a harmonious blend.
• The Signature Dressing: The vinegar-oil dressing is the heart of this salad. The balance of sugar, salt, pepper, and vinegar creates a tangy-sweet profile that complements the vegetables perfectly. Blending it ensures a smooth, emulsified dressing that coats every strand of pasta.
• McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning: This seasoning blend, a classic ingredient, adds a unique savory and slightly tangy depth of flavor that's hard to replicate.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Salad

• Don't Overcook the Pasta: Al dente pasta holds its shape and texture better in salads.
• Rinse and Dry Thoroughly: This step is crucial for preventing a watery salad. Cold water stops the cooking process and helps the pasta firm up.
• Finely Chop the Vegetables: Small, uniform pieces ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed.
• Let It Marinate: The overnight chill allows the flavors to meld and intensify.
• Stir Before Serving: The dressing tends to settle at the bottom, so a gentle stir ensures that every serving is perfectly dressed.

Variations to Spark Your Creativity

• Add Other Vegetables: Cucumber, zucchini, celery, and carrots are excellent additions.
• Incorporate Protein: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas add substance and make it a complete meal.
• Experiment with Cheese: Feta, mozzarella, or parmesan add a creamy, salty dimension.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce adds a kick.
• Herbal Infusion: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano elevate the flavors.
• Change the Dressing: Italian dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, or a lemon-herb dressing offer exciting alternatives.

Serving Suggestions: Beyond the Potluck

While Spaghetti Angel Salad is a potluck superstar, it's also a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in various ways:

• Side Dish: Pair it with grilled meats, fish, or poultry.
• Light Lunch: Enjoy a bowl for a refreshing and satisfying meal.
• Appetizer: Serve it in small bowls or on crostini for a delightful starter.
• Picnic Essential: Pack it in a cooler for a perfect outdoor feast.

A Salad for Every Season

While it's a summer favorite, Spaghetti Angel Salad can be adapted for any season. In autumn, add roasted vegetables like butternut squash or sweet potatoes. In winter, incorporate hearty greens like kale or spinach. In spring, asparagus and peas make delightful additions.

Embrace the Simplicity

Spaghetti Angel Salad is a reminder that the best dishes are often the simplest. With a few basic ingredients and a touch of creativity, you can create a culinary masterpiece that's both delicious and satisfying. So, grab your ingredients, gather your loved ones, and enjoy a taste of summer with this timeless classic!

Spaghetti Angel Salad is a classic dish that is perfect for summer. It is made with angel hair pasta, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and a vinegar-oil dressing. This salad is easy to make and can be customized to your liking.

The Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. package angel hair spaghetti, broken into 1-inch pieces
• 1-2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 small bell pepper (any color), finely chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/8 cup McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning

Vinegar-Oil Dressing:

• 1/2 cup salad oil
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup vinegar (white or apple cider)

Instructions:

1. Cook the angel hair spaghetti according to the package directions.
2. Drain the cooked spaghetti well, rinse it thoroughly with cold water, and allow it to dry completely.
3. Finely chop the tomatoes, bell pepper, and onion.
4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked and dried spaghetti, chopped tomatoes, chopped bell pepper, chopped onion, and McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning.
5. In a blender, combine the salad oil, sugar, salt, pepper, and vinegar. Blend until the dressing is smooth and emulsified (the oil and vinegar are fully combined).
6. Pour the dressing over the spaghetti mixture and toss well to coat evenly.
7. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad overnight. Before serving, stir the salad from the bottom to redistribute the dressing.

Notes:

• For best results, allow the salad to chill for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
• You can adjust the amount of sugar and vinegar in the dressing to your preference.
• The type of bell pepper used is up to personal preference.
• Ensure the spaghetti is well drained and dry, to prevent a watery salad.

Tips:

• To make this salad ahead of time, you can cook the spaghetti and chop the vegetables up to 2 days in advance. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
• If you don't have a blender, you can whisk the dressing together in a bowl.
• This salad is best served chilled, but it can also be served at room temperature.

Variations:

• Add other vegetables to the salad, such as cucumbers, zucchini, or carrots.
• Use a different type of pasta, such as rotini or penne.
• Add protein to the salad, such as grilled chicken or shrimp.
• Use a different type of dressing, such as Italian dressing or ranch dressing.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve this salad as a side dish or main course.
• It is also a great dish to bring to a potluck or picnic.

Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy this delicious and refreshing Spaghetti Angel Salad recipe. It is a perfect summer dish that is sure to please everyone.

Additional Information:

• This recipe is adapted from the McCormick Spaghetti Angel Salad recipe. See their Salad Supreme recipe here.
• I have included a picture of the finished salad in the blog post.

I would love to hear from you if you have any questions or comments about this recipe. Please leave a comment below or contact me through my website.

If you are looking for a dessert to go with this recipe, you might like the recipe I shared yesterday. It is called "Oh My Chocolate!" Cake Recipe.

Keep On Cooking!
-The Recipe Guy

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Taco Salad With Dressing Recipe

The Dressing is POP!

 

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Taco Salad With Dressing Recipe - (Mexican Food)

Quote For The Day:

"Tacos are like what the voices of a hundred angels singing Bob Dylan while sitting on rainbows and playing banjos would taste like if that sound were edible." - Isabel Quintero

Food For Thought:

Mostly free sandwiches.

I had a great sandwich today. I know it's not exciting content, but there is a story behind this sandwich. My second daughter is a deli manager at a local restaurant. The restaurant is closing down for a week because of the 4th of July holiday coming this week. They were going to throw out all the food and my daughter said she would take it. It was fresh food from the day and she thought it would be a waste to just throw the food away. All of the food on my sandwich was from the deli except for the ham. The ham came from a different deli.

My sandwich is made with bread heels and ends. There is bacon, lettuce, tomato, purple onion, pepper jack cheese, and mayonnaise. The mayonnaise came from my refrigerator. My daughter brings sandwich food from the restaurant often. It is a shame to waste good food.

This makes me think of the food waste in America. Our country throws out so much food. We waste more food than any other country in the world. It is an estimated 60 million tons of food wasted each year. The food is worth almost $220 billion a year. Imagine how many people that would feed. Understandably, not all food waste is consumable but there is a lot of food that could be good. Maybe most of it.

If you are interested in food waste facts you can visit RTS and read their insightful article.

Some Questions For You:

• What is your favorite way to make taco salad?
• Do you have a particular recipe for your taco salad dressing?
• This recipe calls for crushed nacho chips in the salad. Do you like the chips crushed or on the side?
• What is your favorite taco sauce? Mine is Ortega Original Taco Sauce. Get you some!
• If you missed my recipe from yesterday, it is called Brown Sugar Pound Cake With Walnut Glaze. I hope you like it.

More Information For You:

Did you know the man who started Fritos invented the taco salad? The man was largely credited for introducing Americans to Mexican food and it helped him grown his business. Today taco salad is a favorite meal for many people. There are many variations on taco salad. One of the things that makes taco salad so special is the different dressing recipes that go with them. For this recipe the taco salad is a great combination but the dressing is the real secret. Keep reading and find out what the dressing is all about. If you want to learn more interesting facts about taco salad you can visit Daily Meal and read their article called Where Was The Taco Salad Really Invented? and be sure to share your thoughts with me here.

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My Thoughts On Taco Salad With Dressing Recipe:

This Taco Salad recipe is a great one! The real secret is in the dressing. It is a special mix of picante or taco sauce and a particular dressing. The combination is up to you, but whatever you choose, you will love it. Taco Salad is a super meal and it makes a fun choice when celebrating Cinco de Mayo. I enjoy taco salad with crushed nacho chips or Fritos and it is especially good in a fried taco bowl.

Taco Salad With Dressing Recipe - (Mexican Food) 8-10 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 head lettuce
• 1 large tomato (chopped, optional)
• 6 scallions (chopped)
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese (8 ounces, grated)
• 1 package tortilla or nacho chips (10 ounces, coarsely crushed)
• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 can red beans (15 1/2 ounces, drained)
• 1 package taco seasoning (1.25 ounces or closest to measure)
• 1 jar picante or taco sauce (you choose)
• 1 bottle Russian Dressing or Western Dressing (you choose)

Instructions:

Break the lettuce into bite-size pieces. Place the lettuce in a large mixing bowl. Add chopped tomatoes, chopped scallions, grated cheese, and the naco chips to the bowl. Toss the contents lightly. In a medium skillet, brown the beef or turkey; add the beans and taco seasoning, and simmer according to the directions on the taco seasoning packet. When you are done, pour the cooked meat over the lettuce mixture. Toss the salad gently. Mix in the picante or taco sauce and the Russian or Wesern dressing. Gently toss the salad gently with everything together or you can serve the salad and dressing separately.

Please let me know your thoughts about this recipe!

Keep on cooking!
-The Recipe Guy