I was telling Mrs. HB last week how surprised I was at all the new recipes she’s been trying each week. Seriously. She just pops open one of her cookbooks, finds 3-4 new recipes she’d like to try, makes her grocery list and before you know it the experimenting has begun. I LOVE IT.
Granted, I tend to prepare more budget friendly recipes for my family {a roast every week? HELLO!} but hey, they’ve been eating really well over there since she’s been concentrating on her budget, and I’m sure my peeps wouldn’t mind if I kicked it up a notch or two a little more often. 😉
Anywho, we tested out this recipe for chicken caesar pasta salad last week and we both fell in love with it that I just had to share.
This pasta salad keeps for several days in the fridge so it’s perfect for busy work weeks or to make ahead to bring to a party. If you are a two person family and want leftovers to bring in your lunch… make the recipe as I have it written below. If your family is bigger and you want leftovers or you are bringing this to a church gathering or potluck I suggest you double it. And bring the recipe. Peeps are going to want it.
Ingredients
8 ounces shredded chicken
6 ounces cavatappi pasta
1 bunch watercress, washed and chopped
6 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, shredded
4 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 teaspoons anchovy paste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of salt
Directions
Prepare pasta per the al dente instructions on the box, rinse under cold water and drain. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta, shredded chicken, watercress and Parmesan cheese and set aside. Toss the remaining ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Pour dressing over pasta mixture and stir well. Refrigerate for an hour or so and then serve chilled.
~Mavis
a says
Would you please let me know what cookbook the chicken caesar pasta salad is from? I’m just curious if Mrs. HB is using some of the older, more standard cookbooks, or newer ones.
Mavis Butterfield says
It was an older one, but I’ll ask.
Teri says
Where do you buy watercress???? Can it be left out or any substitute?
Mavis Butterfield says
They sell it at the grocery store {she bought it at Fred Meyer}. It has a bit of a kick to it but I think you could sub the watercress with spinach and a little chopped onion.
“Watercress is a rapidly growing, aquatic or semi-aquatic, perennial plant native to Europe and Asia, and one of the oldest known leaf vegetables consumed by humans. It is currently a member of the family Brassicaceae, botanically related to garden cress, mustard, radish and wasabi—all noteworthy for their piquant flavor.”
Teri says
Oh thank you so much! Will try to find it and if not will substitute with spinach.
Tammy says
Sounds yummy!
The recipe I really want is that butternut quinoa salad you made a few weeks back!
Leanna says
http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/butternut-squash-and-quinoa-salad/
Tammy says
Thank you! I didn’t realize it was a recipe already posted. 🙂
Crystal says
The link to the anchovy paste isn’t working. It leads to pasta.
Looking forward to trying this recipe. My husband loves Caesar salad.
Helen in Meridian says
I bought anchovy paste 2 days ago at WINCO and it was under $2.00. Also my MIL picked watercress from a pond years ago. The guest at dinner said he was picking the weeds out of her salad…not a gourmet.
Jeannine says
The anchovy paste scares me. Does the salad taste fishy?
Mariana says
Not as much as you would think 😉
If you are concerned that it would, use a bit less than the recipe calls for. You can always use more next time, once you get comfortable with it.
Leanna says
I have used anchovy paste in other dishes and it just gives a better flavor. Not fishy.
Tanya says
Thanks Mavis and Mrs. HB. I have made it my goal to make 26 new recipes this year and this was one of them and well worth it. I used sour cream instead of mayo (don’t like mayo) and it turns out great. Never had watercress before either and I come to find out I like that too!