2009/01/11

Rainbow seafood pasta salad

Rainbow Seafood Pasta Salad, pasta salad, Salad, salad for kids

Before posting the photos I shot in Penang, I would like to begin my 2009 posting with a food recipe.

Do you like salad? I never have a chance to made one so far as my Emperor is not supportive enough for this idea. But after all the Christmas and New Year festive celebrations, I desperately need one now. Remember what I mentioned in my last post? It is my 2009 New Year resolution! As we know, another festive celebration is approaching - Chinese New Year. During this period, we will have to attend family reunion dinner and friend and relatives' open house. All the yummilicious stuff are awaiting for us!! If I don’t seriously watch my diet now, then I have to prepare to upgrade my clothing size after CNY. Oh, no! please don't let this happen to me!!!!


Today I would like to share with you a light, simple and healthy recipe I found from my favourite cookbook - “Children’s healthy & fun cookbook”. Although this was my 1st attempt in making salad, to my surprise, my son could accept raw vegetables such as baby butterhead. He loved eating it so much. I guess it was because most of the ingredients used in this salad were his favourite (ie tomato, corns, raisin and prawns) and the thousand island dressing provides extra flavour to the salad.

This salad is very versatile. You can mix and match any ingredients using your own creativity. Below is my own modified version that is enough to serve both my son and me for today’s lunch.

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Ingredients:
60g pasta shells – cooked and drained well
4 large prawns – cooked and peeled, cut each prawn into 4 portions
1 medium size tomatoes - removed seeds and chopped into cubes
½ ear of large sweet corn – steamed or boiled, kernel removed from cob
1 small Japanese cucumber – removed seeds and chopped into cubes
Handful of black raisins and sunflower seeds
A few leaves of baby butterhead (cut into strips)

Other ingredients you may consider:
- small tomatoes (ie cherry or roma tomatoes), carrot, avocado, lettuce leaves, cooked egg, pine nuts, chicken (instead of prawn), tofu (instead of prawn for vegetarian)

Dressing (thousand islands sauce):
4 tbsp mayonnaise
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
2 tsp lemon juice (start with 1 tsp)
2 drops of Tabasco sauce (optional)
Dash of pepper
Sugar or salt (if necessary)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for mixing later)

Methods:
1) Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add the pasta and follow the cooking instructions on the packet. Drain well and leave to cool.
2) Prepare the dressing, cover with cling wrap and keep in the fridge.
3) Prepare all the ingredients.
4) Put all the ingredients into a salad bowl and mix well with the dressing. Alternatively, you can divide the ingredients between the serving bowls and then drizzle over the dressing. Serve and enjoy!

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I am submitting this pasta salad to Presto Pasta Night, founded by Ruth of Once Upon A Feast, and hosted by Ivy of Kopiaste this week.

Other recommended colourful dishes:
- special egg rolls with rice, salmon and spinach
- millet porridge
- stir-fried capsicums & cucumber with stewed vegetarian mutton

32 comments:

Ruth Daniels said...

It does look wonderful for kids of all ages. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights. I know my grandson will love eating this...as long as he can use his fingers ;-)

Ivy said...

This does sound delicious with all those lovely, colourful ingredients. I am happy to see that you made your own Thousand Islands Salad Dressing. Happy New Year.

Kathleen Bade said...

What a GREAT looking pasta!


I'll bet it tastes good too~ : )

pigpigscorner said...

Nice colours! Although I'm nto a big fan of salad, this sure looks yummy! I'm normally the one that will say no to salads.

CY said...

This dish looks so beautiful with the colours, I'm sure it'll be a big hit with the kids!

Selba said...

This is definitely a rainbow seafood pasta salad! so colourful, so beautiful... and I bet it tasted so delicious :)

Anonymous said...

This pasta salad will definitely be the center of attraction on any buffet spread.

Bits said...

nice and cozy salad... looks so delicious!

Pam said...

What a great combination of colors and flavors. The sauce sounds fantastic too.

Little Inbox said...

It looks so beautiful!

shavedicesundays said...

Wow you made your own Thousand Island's dressing? I would have just went out and bought a bottle of that stuff.

worldwindows said...

Very nice site. Organized and an eye-pleaser. Simple kitchen recipes esp. the pancake. I am going to ask my son to do it.

Food For Tots said...

Hi Everyone,
Tks for your compliments!!!

Hi Ruth,
I truly love this event. Hope to share more in future.

Hi Ivy,
Happy New Year to u too!

Hi Shavedicesundays,
My TI sauce is just a simplified version. U can make it too!

Hi Worldwindows,
Tks for dropping by. You are so lucky that your son can cook for u. I hope my son can do it too when he grows up. Hehehe!

New Kid on the Blog said...

i honestly can't wait to see your Pg Food Review... :)

Anonymous said...

I would also like this! The prawns look so big and juicy!!! I love sweet corns too..Great colours!

Noob Cook said...

So colourful and delicious looking ... a 'big kid' like me wants to eat too! =D

Elin Chia said...

Hi,
I love salad and yours looks good. Thanks for sharing such a gem. Will try it out soon.
Cheers,
Elin

Beachlover said...

wow! so colorful!!my favourite seafood! I don't mind to have a bowl,pls!

Anonymous said...

I made this for my girls 2 days ago (yeah, i am a big fan of yours!) and they love it.

Thanks so much for sharing.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful dish. I especially love that you added the sunflower seeds. That is a clever twist

Food For Tots said...

NKOTB: Coming, coming! I am working extra hard now. Will be out soon. ;)

My cooking hut & Jun: Tks for your compliments!

Noobcook & beachlover: Help yourself. First come first serve!

Elin: Hope you will like it.

Skinnymum: Tks for your support. I am really happy that your girls luv it.

Dora said...

That's a very colourful dish! Can tell that it's very yummy from its look. Suits the CNY mood also. :)

tigerfish said...

OH-SO-COLORFUL! I just love it!

Food For Tots said...

Dora: U r in the CNY mood liao? Hope u have settled ur important matter by now. Can't wait to see ur posting.

Tiger: Tks for your kind comment! ;)

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a beautiful salad. It really sounds delicious.

Food For Tots said...

Mary: Tks for your kind comments.

M.H. said...

Help! I'm having a pasta deficiency... send some over to me!!! (looks so delicious...mmph!)

Food For Tots said...

MyF: No problem. Give me your address and I will arrange a special delivery for you! Hehehe!

pENguiN~ said...

I have been drooling over this recipe for very long. We're going to have pot luck party and I am planning to make this. This recipe can feed how many ppl? :)

Food For Tots said...

pENguiN~: Ideally, it can feed 2 adults for a normal meal. Since this is a pot luck party, it may cater for 4-5 persons as an appetizer. Btw, may I join too? Hehehe!

pENguiN~ said...

Hey, of course you're welcome if you wish to, but it's going to be @ Penang. :).

Guess I'll have to double all your ingredients for a pot luck of approx 12 ppl. :). Thanks!

Food For Tots said...

pENguiN~: Oh, too bad! I am not in Penang at that time. But anyway, thanks a lot for your kind invitation!