Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Crawfish Confetti Pasta Salad

                               Makes 4 to 6 servings                            
This veggie-packed crawfish pasta salad tastes great the minute it's made but will become more strongly flavored if allowed to chill a few hours before serving. When making ahead, add the cheese just before serving.

 
2                  pounds crawfish , shelled , deheaded aand devined , cooked
8                  ounces uncooked small shell pasta
1                  pint grape tomatoes, halved
2                  cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach 
1                  yellow bell pepper, chopped
1/4              cup finely chopped red onion
3                 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette (recipe below)
1                (4-ounce) package crumbled feta cheese

 
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Boil crawfish 10 minutes; drain. Toss pasta with tomatoes and remaining ingredients. Serve immediately, or cover and chill up to 8 hours.

Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette:
Makes about 3/4 cup

1/4              cup fresh lemon juice
1                 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1                 large garlic clove, pressed
1/4             teaspoon salt
1/4             teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2             cup vegetable oil

To prepare this Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette salad dressing salad dressing ahead, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature, and whisk before serving.

14 comments:

  1. Yummy! Such pasta salad would make great lunch for me :)

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  2. Light and easy and maybe a light dinner with toasted bread or rolls . Thanks for stopping by :)

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  3. Mmmm, crawfish! It's been ages since I've had them, and I don't believe I've ever had them in a pasta salad. Love the idea! This is such a terrific recipe-- thanks.

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    1. Hi John , I am enjoying the crawfish festival , so many new dishes and I will be sharing more over the summer , thanks for stopping by :)

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  4. Good afternoon dear Nee, Great post after the Mudbug festival. This recipe sounds delicious, but I have to be honest, I have never had crawfish, I don't think. If it tastes like lobster, crab, or shrimp, then I will like it? I liked the crumbled feta cheese and the spinach with this dish. The Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette salad dressing is a perfect match with this recipe. Love fresh lemon with any kind of fish. Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe. Blessings on a good rest of the day! Dottie :)

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    1. Good afternoon dear Dottie . This dish is easy peasy and we call crawfish down here the 'Poor Man's' shrimp . I think you will like them they are delicious . It's so nice to make your own vinaigrette dressing and I always make 2 .... one has heat ;-D . I don't know if you get crawfish up in NY , I know they maybe have them on menus in most restaurants . Most people just eat them boil . Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day :) Nee

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  5. I have never had crawfish before. I'm not even sure they are available where I shop. Have a good Thursday!

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  6. Hi Nellie ,
    I don't know if they are available in your neck of the woods , crawfish is mostly a southern and western thing and some call them crayfish or mudbugs . Southerners call them the poor man's shrimp ;-D . Thanks for stopping by :)

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  7. How exciting to learn of your connection to other bloggers!

    About the only "exotic" choice that might be available where we are would be gator meat during the week before the football game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Vols!:-)

    I bet shrimp could be substituted in this recipe. Or - even lump crabmeat.

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    1. How Nellie , shrimp or crabmeat would be delicious in this recipe . We can buy gator year round . We get most of our seafood from upstate now because ofthe BP oil spill .
      We are great fans of the Tennessee Vols down here ;-D thanks for stopping by ...:)

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  8. Hi Nee,
    Firstly I like the name of this dish. Confetti sounds so festive, and this dish looks like a perfect festive dish! It looks delicious! Thanks for sharing, hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Hi Joyce , we are celebriting Mudbug Madness and having a rip-roaring good time . Thanks for stopping by :).

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  9. Oh! Dear Nee; This is a wonderful and flavorful salad. It is perfect for the summer; though I would love it all year round. Blessings dear. Catherine

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    1. Dear Catherine , you can have this salad year round , use different meats or no meat at all . I also like it with a lilt chipotle or jalapeno for the heat .
      Thanks for stopping by , blessing for a gorgeous weekend . :) Nee

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