Festive Fruity Pasta Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with cold water. Drop the broccoli into the boiling water and cook until crisp-tender and bright green, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and plunge into the cold water to stop the cooking. Let sit until cool, then drain and set aside.
• Return the water in the pot to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to the package directions for al dente. Drain in a colander and transfer to a large bowl. Toss the pasta with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil to coat evenly and refrigerate until cooled completely, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil to a blender with the spinach, Parmesan, almonds, basil, lemon juice, chives and 1/4 cup water and puree until completely smooth. Pour the pesto over top of the pasta and add the reserved broccoli, red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt. Toss gently until well combined. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with more chopped chives. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.

Steps:

• Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Set pineapple aside. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and flour; stir in reserved pineapple juice until smooth. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from the heat; cool for 15 minutes. Cover and refrigerate. , In a large serving bowl, combine the oranges, pears, kiwi, apples, pecans and reserved pineapple. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Cover and chill for 1 hour.

Steps:

• For the candied nuts: In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, toast the pistachios and hazelnuts until fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the brown sugar, salt, vanilla and 1 tablespoon water directly to the pan with the nuts and stir to coat them. Cook until the sugar has dissolved, about 1 additional minute. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow to cool, 12 to 15 minutes.
• For the dressing: Combine the olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, salt and pepper in a mason jar. Secure the lid and shake to combine. Set aside.
• For the salad: Spread the arugula, kale and spinach over a large round platter, leaving space in the center of the platter (it should look like a holiday wreath). Top the greens with the radicchio. Arrange the mandarin segments over the greens. Sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds, cranberries, blueberries and cooled candied nuts.
• Lastly, sprinkle with the Parmesan, creating the look of snow. Shake the dressing one more time and pour it into a serving bowl. Place the bowl in the center of the platter and serve.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the cranberries, water and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until berries pop, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat; cool slightly., In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Add cranberry mixture; stir gently. Refrigerate until serving.

Steps:

• Drain pineapple and reserve the juice and set the pineapple aside.
• Pour the pineapple juice into a small saucepan, add sugar and flour; then bring to a boil.
• Quickly stir in the lightly beaten egg and cook until thickened.
• Remove dressing from heat and let cool - then refrigerate till using.
• In a large bowl, combine all the fruit and the nuts.
• Pour the dressing over the fruit and blend well.
• Cover and chill for one hour so flavors blend.

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine sugar and flour. Stir in milk and pineapple until blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Remove from the heat; add butter. Cool. In a bowl, combine the apples, grapes, pecans and cherries. Add dressing; stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Steps:

• Peel and core pineapple; cut into cubes. Place in a 3- or 4-qt. glass serving bowl. Stir in remaining fruit., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add sugar and lemon juice and mix well. Fold in whipped topping. , Spread over fruit. Garnish with additional berries if desired. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.