Celebrate the beginning of summer with local asparagus, and fresh herbs from the garden in one simple to prepare, healthy and delicious pasta salad recipe.
This crab pasta salad with peas and asparagus is perfect for a brown bag lunch, potluck invite or a quick dinner before a group run. If you have a shellfish allergy, substitute; tuna, grilled chicken or extra veggies for the crab.
Ingredients:
2 cups (500 mL) dry penne rice pasta or regular wheat pasta
1/2 lb (250 g) asparagus spears (about 15 spears), ends removed and cut on a 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) bias
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1 (120 g) can crab meat, drained
1/2 cup (125 mL) frozen peas, thawed
1/3 cup (75 mL) sundried tomatoes, patted dry
3 tbsp (45 mL) chopped fresh mint
1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh chives or green onions
1 tsp (5 mL) finely grated lemon zest
1 tbsp (15 mL) EACH lemon juice, cider vinegar, liquid honey and grainy Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp (2 mL) minced fresh garlic
1/4 tsp (1 mL) EACH sea salt and fresh cracked pepper
Method:
Cook pasta according to package directions. Add cut asparagus to pasta water for the last 30 seconds of cooking. Drain pasta and asparagus and rinse with cold water. Drain very well and toss with 1 tsp (5 mL) of oil. Place drained pasta and asparagus in a large bowl. Add crab meat, peas, sundried tomatoes, mint and chives. In a small bowl whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic, remaining olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss with pasta. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Makes 6 cups (1.5 L).
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Founder of Marathonmom.ca, Charmaine Broughton-Dunn has transformed her life from an overweight mother of two; to a marathon runner, triathlete and most importantly healthy wife and mother. Charmaine is a trained chef and food writer for a number of national publications including; Running Room Magazine. Charmaine is a sought after running coach and has proudly lead
many women to their FIRST finish line.
Charmaine will be contributing Running Healthy Recipes on the Mizuno Run Club Site, so be sure to check back regularly for this new feature to the site to see delicious recipes that will keep you fit and full!
You can also keep posted on what Charmaine is up to at MarathonMom on Facebook and follow her on Twitter: @runnercharb