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Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad

Perfect for potlucks, backyard barbecues, or to tote to your favorite picnic spot, this pasta salad is a tasty twist on tradition.

By adding a splash of the liquid from a jar of marinated artichoke hearts, it’s easy to boost flavor in the vinaigrette. And you can use store-bought Italian dressing in place of making the vinaigrette, if desired.

Pack into a Mason jar and attach a fork for a fun and convenient way to savor this summer salad.

Check out The Daily Meal’s 12 Perfect Picnic Recipes for Your Next Outdoor Get-together  including this recipe for Pasta Salad. Enjoy!

PASTA SALAD

1 (16-ounce) package rotini (corkscrew) pasta
1 (7.5-ounce) jar quartered marinated artichoke hearts, drained, chopped and reserving 2 tablespoons liquid
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 pound sliced provolone cheese, cut into strips
1/4 pound sliced Genoa salami, cut into strips
1/4 cup minced red onion
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 (3.8-ounce) can sliced pitted ripe olives, drained
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Begin cooking rotini according to package directions.

Meanwhile, prepare vinaigrette. In a medium bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons reserved artichoke liquid, olive oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and pepper; whisk until well blended. In a large bowl, combine provolone cheese, salami, onion, pepper, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, olives, Parmesan cheese, and parsley.

Drain rotini; rinse with cold water and drain again. Add rotini to cheese and salami mixture; drizzle with vinaigrette. Toss to combine. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day in advance. Makes 12 servings.

Cranberry Cabernet Sauce

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Cranberry Cabernet Sauce

 

Cranberry Cabernet Sauce

Cranberry Cabernet Sauce

Jazz up your dish of cranberry sauce by cooking cranberries in a flavorful mixture that’ll lend a sophisticated touch to this Thanksgiving Day staple.

By simmering cranberries in a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and a few other ingredients, it’s easy to add a twist on tradition while still enjoying a classic.

Of course, your favorite red wine may be substituted for Cabernet Sauvignon, if desired. However you make it, this simple yet elegant dish will enhance the Thanksgiving Day celebration.

CRANBERRY CABERNET SAUCE

1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries
1/2 cup Cabernet Sauvignon
1/2 cup orange juice
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, wine, orange juice, sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, partially covered, until most of the cranberries have popped, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Mash with a potato masher. Cool at least 1 hour before serving. (May be prepared up to five days in advance; store covered and refrigerated.) Makes 8 servings.

Easy Creamy Coleslaw

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Easy Creamy Coleslaw

Easy Creamy Coleslaw

Easy Creamy Coleslaw

Quick and easy recipes are always in demand, and during the summer months, they’re especially welcome.

By simply combining packaged coleslaw mix with on-hand ingredients, a familiar side dish can be prepared in no time. Whether it’s for a picnic, potluck, or family reunion, this classic favorite is a time-honored addition to summertime get-togethers.

Enjoy!

EASY CREAMY COLESLAW

1/2 cup regular or light mayonnaise
1/4 cup regular or light sour cream
2 teaspoons white vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 (14-ounce) package coleslaw mix
2 teaspoons grated onion (optional)
In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, celery seed, salt, and pepper. Add coleslaw mix and onion, if desired; toss to combine. Cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Makes 8 servings.

Tortellini Salad

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Tortellini Salad Recipe

Tortellini Salad

Tortellini Salad

Whether it’s a backyard barbecue or a picnic at the park, a flavor-packed salad is a delicious addition to any alfresco get-together.

Perfect for pairing with just about any grilled entrée, this recipe for Tortellini Salad combines cheese-filled pasta with a mélange of fresh ingredients. And store-bought Italian salad dressing makes it easy to get out of the kitchen quick.

With this quick and easy recipe, warm-weather gatherings are sure to be a breeze.

TORTELLINI SALAD

1 (9-ounce) package fresh cheese tortellini
1 cup broccoli florets
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 (6-ounce) jar marinated artichokes, drained
2 medium scallions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2/3 cup regular or fat-free Italian salad dressing
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
6 cherry tomatoes, halved

Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water and drain again. In a large bowl, combine tortellini, broccoli, parsley, artichokes, scallions, basil, salt, and pepper; toss to combine. Pour dressing over tortellini mixture; toss to combine. Cover, and refrigerate 1 hour. Just before serving, add Parmesan cheese and tomatoes; toss to combine. Makes 6 servings.

Creamy Dilled Cucumber Salad

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Creamy Dilled Cucumber Salad

Creamy Dilled Cucumber Salad

Creamy Dilled Cucumber Salad

Recipes made with garden-fresh cucumbers are a refreshing addition to the summer menu. Whether it’s to perk up your picnic, accompany your entrée, or share at an outdoor gathering, this old-fashioned salad makes good use of some of the flavors of the season.

A terrific timesaver, it can be prepared up to four hours in advance. Just cover and store in the fridge until ready to serve. It can also be easily doubled or tripled for a crowd.

Whatever the occasion, this quick and easy recipe is a delightful addition to any warm weather meal.


CREAMY DILLED CUCUMBER SALAD

2 medium cucumbers, peeled
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup regular or light sour cream
Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise; use a teaspoon to scrape out the seeds. Thinly slice cucumbers; place in a colander that’s set over a bowl. Sprinkle with salt. Let stand 20 minutes; rinse and pat dry. In a medium bowl, combine cucumbers, onion, dill, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, and pepper; stir in sour cream. Cover, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours. Stir well before serving. Makes 4 servings.

Food Lion Launches Fresh Website – New Design Makes it Easy to Shop, Save, and Plan for Recipes like Lemony Orzo and Chicken Salad

Food Lion, Harried Housewife Recipes - Lemony Orzo and Chicken Salad

Lemony Orzo and Chicken Salad

Food Lion has debuted a new website that makes shopping, saving, and planning for mealtimes the ultimate in ease. Included in the many enhancements is Food Lion’s New Recipe Portal which has this recipe for Lemony Orzo and Chicken Salad and forthcoming Harried Housewife Recipes.

Another exciting feature of this new website is a personalized dashboard that makes it easy for you to access your information in a snap.

Food Lion Harried Housewife Recipes

All you have to do is sign up for an MVP card. It’s easy to do, then just log in and you’ll see all of your personalized information such as your saved favorite recipes, digitally uploaded coupons, shopping lists, savings for the year, etc. You can customize your dashboard as you go!

This personalized feature is not only fun and easy, but it also saves time and is helpful to those watching their budgets. The new Food Lion website, based on customer feedback, is designed to provide time-crunched folks with digital enhancements to ensure easy mealtime preparation.

Whether it’s the Recipe Portal,

Food Lion Recipe Portal Harried Housewife Recipes

Coupon Hub,

Food Lion Coupon Hub Harried Recipes

Shopping List,

Food Lion Shopping List Harried Housewife Recipes

Savings Tracker,

Food Lion Savings Tracker Harried Housewife Recipes

or any other feature, Food Lion’s freshly designed website makes it easy to save money and simplify your grocery shopping experience.

Enjoy!

Food Lion Website Harried Housewife Recipes

 Thanks to Food Lion for sponsoring this post.

Spring Greens and Strawberry Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Spring Greens Salad

Spring Greens and Strawberry Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

Spring Greens and Strawberry Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

Celebrate National Salad Month, and the warmer weather, with a lighter dish filled with color and texture. A refreshing mix of seasonal salad greens along with strawberries, blue cheese, and toasted walnuts drizzled with tangy balsamic poppy seed vinaigrette is both tasty and nutritious.

And you can always add cooked chicken breasts or your choice of lean protein, if desired. Whichever way you prefer, this refreshing recipe is an appetizing start to National Salad Month.

SPRING GREENS AND STRAWBERRY SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUTS

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
3/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
12 cups spring salad greens
1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts
For vinaigrette, in small bowl, combine vinegar, olive oil, honey, poppy seeds, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well blended. In a large bowl, combine mixed greens and strawberries. Whisk vinaigrette and drizzle desired amount over mixed greens and strawberries; toss to combine. Arrange on a large platter or 6 plates; sprinkle with blue cheese and walnuts. Makes 6 servings.

Apricot Glazed Carrots

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Apricot Glazed Carrots

Apricot Glazed Carrots

Apricot Glazed Carrots

Add a gourmet touch to carrots by coating them in a tangy glaze made with simple ingredients. The combination of apricot preserves, butter, and brown sugar along with a hint of cinnamon, salt, and pepper makes jazzing up plain carrots a snap.

A terrific complement to most any entrée, this elegant recipe is ideal for Easter Sunday dinner. Double the recipe for a crowd, and savor a sophisticated side dish starring one of the season’s most appealing ingredients.

From my family to yours, Happy Easter.

The Easter bunny will love these other Easter recipes too!

APRICOT-GLAZED CARROTS

1 pound slender carrots
2 tablespoons apricot preserves
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Salt to taste
Coarsely ground black pepper to taste
Lightly peel carrots. Trim tops leaving about 1 1/2-inches of green intact; trim bottoms. Cut them in half lengthwise. Add about 1-inch water to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; add carrots. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, partially covered, until just tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Return to saucepan; add apricot preserves, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook over low heat until heated through and butter melts, about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper. Makes 6 servings.

Spiced Cranberry Sauce

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Sauce is good enough on its own, but the addition of cloves and cinnamon makes it even better. By simmering ruby-red cranberries in brown sugar syrup with a couple sticks of cinnamon and an orange slice that’s dotted with cloves, a dish of cranberry sauce is elevated to a new level.

A welcome addition to the Thanksgiving Day table, this side dish is an excellent choice for holiday entertaining. Perfect for making ahead, it can be prepared up to five days in advance and stored, covered, in the fridge. Sprinkle with finely grated orange zest just before serving for a refreshing finish.

Here are more Thanksgiving holiday recipes from The Harried Housewife’s RECIPE BOX.

From my family to yours… Happy Thanksgiving.

SPICED CRANBERRY SAUCE

1 medium orange
6 whole cloves
1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries
1 cup water
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 (3 to 3 1/2-inches) cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon sugar
Finely grated orange zest (optional)
Using a wooden skewer, poke 6 evenly spaced holes around the center of the orange; insert cloves into holes. Cut a slice out of the orange to include all of the cloves. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, water, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and orange slice. Squeeze juice from ends of orange into cranberry mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, partially covered, until most of the cranberries have popped, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Remove orange slice and cinnamon sticks. Stir in sugar; mash with a potato masher. Cool at least 1 hour before serving. Sprinkle with finely grated orange zest before serving, if desired. (May be prepared up to five days in advance; store covered and refrigerated.) Makes 8 servings.

Easy Lemon Mint Rice

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Easy Lemon Mint Rice

Easy Lemon Mint Rice

Easy Lemon Mint Rice

Looking for a satisfying side dish that will perk up mealtime but doesn’t require a lot of time on preparation? Then this refreshing recipe is for you.

Sprinkled with garden-fresh mint and seasoned with zesty lemon, instant rice gets a savory boost in a matter of minutes. Perfect with any grilled entrée, this quick to prepare recipe will make it easy to spend less time in the kitchen and more time in the great outdoors. Enjoy!

EASY LEMON MINT RICE

2 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon dried minced onions
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups instant rice
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, lemon zest, bouillon, onions, and salt. Bring to a boil. Stir in rice, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon mint; remove from heat. Cover, and let stand 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon mint. Makes 4 servings.