Description
Calistoga Pasta Salad is a delightful combination of bow-tie pasta, crunchy toasted pecans, fresh broccoli, sweet red grapes, and crispy bacon, all tossed in a creamy honey apple cider vinegar dressing. This salad is perfect for gatherings and can be prepared ahead of time, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 lb broccoli
- 1/3 cup red onion, chopped
- 8 oz bow-tie pasta
- 2 cups seedless red grapes, cut in half
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Toast Pecans: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are lightly toasted and fragrant. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow-tie pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside, keeping it warm if possible.
- Prepare Broccoli: While the pasta cooks, separate broccoli into florets and chop into bite-sized pieces. Peel the tough outer layer of the stems with a vegetable peeler and finely chop the stems. Set all aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cut grapes, chopped red onion, and broccoli pieces (florets and stems).
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Chill Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
- Add Bacon and Pecans: Just before serving, stir in the crumbled cooked bacon and toasted pecans for added crunch and flavor.
- Serve: Serve chilled or at room temperature and enjoy your vibrant Calistoga Pasta Salad.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and add extra pecans or toasted seeds for crunch.
- Make sure the pasta is slightly warm when tossing with dressing so it absorbs flavors better.
- Chilling for at least 3 hours enhances flavor infusion, but it can be kept overnight for even better taste.
- Use low-fat mayonnaise if you want to reduce fat content.
- To toast pecans without an oven, you can use a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
