The Covered Dish - Springtime Pasta Salad

Cooking is how we show our love to our family and friends.
As we approach the Easter Season this week, let’s pause and remember the meaning of the season. Every year I look forward to presenting something new for the holiday table pleasing all the palates. Paige, our daughter-in-law makes great deviled eggs, so I’m hoping she will once again bring her talents to the meal. This year I’m thinking of having both ham and poultry at our dinner. ErvIn will expect scalloped pineapple. I’m trying to decide on whether we will have a potato dish or macaroni and cheese. ErvIn also enjoys cream salads, so I’ll make a low sugar dish especially for him. The kids like salad greens, so I’ll do something on the fresh side as an accompaniment. Just like Peter Rabbit, I enjoy a carrot dish, mine may be the one featured in this column 2-3 weeks back.
Dessert? Well, it is still up in the air, been pondering cheesecake or a pie. We’ll see what wins out.
I’m known for making some big pasta salads, more in the spring and summer, but anytime makes me a happy camper.
Easter is also a good time for an old-fashioned macaroni salad, which can be simple or grandioso! This weekend I made a refreshing salad based on an orange vinaigrette dressing. Mine came from Trader Joe’s, but you will find other makers on the market like Brianna who carry Orange dressings.
You may want to use some of your leftover ham for a springtime pasta salad like I am presenting today. Chicken or turkey is also a good choice for a substitute in this dish.

Springtime Pasta Salad
12 oz. Specialty pasta, I used bow tie
1-2 cups chopped ham
1 cup diced cheese of choice, used Colby jack today
1-2 cups blanched asparagus pieces or thawed frozen peas
2 cups organic spinach, cut larger pieces in half*
1 sweet pepper, no green, cut into small pieces
Roasted Red Pepper could be substituted here
Drained Mandarin Oranges, 2 cups worth , add last-
Green Onions, 4-6 finely diced
Sugar Snap peas and blanched carrots are an option- Orange Zest, optional Orange flavored Vinaigrette or a Poppy Seed Dressing (Save some to add just before serving the salad.)
Prepare all ingredients and at the very end bring in the mandarin oranges. Gently fold in salad dressing, turning carefully. Refrigerate until serving time.
*Organic spinach has a longer lifeline