Piquant Cheese Salad No Mayo Or Pasta Recipes

PIQUANT CHEESE SALAD (NO MAYO OR PASTA)

Steps:

• In a serving bowl, mix cubed cheese, onion rings, diced salami, diced tomato & sliced gherkins.
• In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, Tabasco, pepper, olive oil & diced pineapple chunks. (I use a glass jar w/a tight lid & just shake to combine).
• Just b4 serving, toss salad in dressing & serve garnished w/chopped chives as desired.
• NOTE: To make ahead & avoid a mushy cheese effect, follow same prep except DO NOT include diced cheese in the mix of Step 1. Store the cheese ready to use in a sandwich bag or refrigerator container & combine w/salad ingredients at the same time the dressing is added just before serving.

NO MAYO EASY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini and tri-color rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Rinse the pasta with cold water until cool; drain.
• Combine pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, and purple onion in a large bowl.
• Stir ranch dressing and Italian-style salad dressing together in a separate bowl; spread over the pasta mixture and stir to coat.

MEXICAN INSPIRED NO-MAYO MACARONI AND CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Dressing -- In a small bowl, add the salsa, sour cream, lime juice and zest, cilantro, cumin, pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate. NOTE: I start out with 1/2 cup salsa, and 6 tablespoons of sour cream. You can always add more once you dress the salad.
• Pasta -- Simply cook in good salted water according to package directions.
• Vegetables -- In a large bowl, add the chopped green and red pepper, onion and scallions.
• Toss -- Once the past is done, drain and this is one time where I actually rinse my pasta under cold water. Drain well. Add to the bowl with the vegetables and add the dressing and the cheese. Toss well. You can add a bit more sour cream and salsa if necessary. Taste for seasoning and add any more salt and pepper if needed. And remember - this is not a creamy mayo type of salad. This is a healthier light version so there is not as much dressing.
• Serve -- ENJOY!

PASTA SALAD, FABULOUS NO MAYO!

Steps:

• Cook pasta to desired tenderness.
• When cooled, add diced tomatoes, olive slices and beans.
• Add Italian dressing, measure by eye, pasta should be coated, but not swimming!
• I usually use packets of powdered dressing mix, as do not keep bottles of Italian dressing on hand, and can make as much or as little as I want.
• I've also played with different varieties of Italian dressings.
• You can have fun with it, tweak to your taste.
• If not serving immediately, refrigerate. But mix well before serving to redistribute dressing that may settle at bottom of dish.
• Serve with croutons, bacon bits & Parmesan cheese.
• (I serve this on the side to sprinkle on top, because if any leftovers croutons& bacon bits will get soggy when refrigerated, and vegans don't eat cheese!).

PIMENTO CHEESE (NO MAYONNAISE)

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients very well. Note: For the best flavor, grate the cheddar just before you make the recipe. Store pimento cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• To make this into a hot dip, simply heat in a crock pot until bubbly.