Autumn Crunch Pasta Salad

• Vegan

• Produce

  • 3/4 cup Celery
  • 3/4 cup Cranberries, dried
  • 1 Granny smith apple, large
  • 1 1 can (15 ounces can Mandarin oranges
  • 5 oz Spinach, fresh

• Condiments

  • 1 tsp Lemon juice

• Pasta & Grains

  • 1 1/2 cups Pasta, dry small

• Baking & Spices

  • 1 tbsp Poppyseeds
  • 2 tbsp White sugar

• Oils & Vinegars

  • 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
  • 4 tbsp Olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp White wine vinegar

• Nuts & Seeds

  • 1/3 cup Pecans

Found on chelseasmessyapron.com

Description

Directions

• Cook the pasta according to package directions.
• While the pasta is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a food processor or blender (I used my small Twister jar on the Blendtec) combine the oil (the vegetable oil yields a richer and in my opinion better taste, but the olive oil is healthier and still tastes great), apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, sugar, (adjust -- more or less to personal preference, we like a less sweet dressing and use about 2 tablespoons) paprika, and onion powder. Pulse or blend for about 10 seconds. Stir in the poppyseeds.
• Drain the pasta once its cooked through and immediately toss a few tablespoons of the dressing with the pasta. This helps the pasta soak in the dressing and the flavor.
• Chill the dressed pasta in the fridge.
• Meanwhile, combine the (washed and de-stemmed) spinach with the chopped celery in a large bowl. Add in the cranberries and a can of drained mandarine oranges.
• If desired peel the apple (We like to leave on the peel!) and then slice into thin slices. Toss with lemon juice and then add to the salad.
• Pour dressing over the salad and toss. Add in the completely cooled pasta and toss with the rest of the salad.
• If you want to toast the pecans, place them in a single layer in a dry saucepan (dont add anything) over medium heat. Stir constantly until the nuts are barely fragrant -- just a couple of minutes. Watch carefully as the nuts are VERY easily scorched/burned.
• Alternatively, you can candy the pecans if desired. Check the link in the last paragraph of the blog text for how to candy pecans.
• Top the salad with the pecans and feta cheese.
• Enjoy immediately.