Monday, August 11, 2014

Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad


Company arrived this weekend. My poor friends were subjected to a fall menu because I was testing recipes for a book. Their main course was going to be Meatloaf Mummies, but what to serve with it?

Sure, you're thinking I should throw something on the grill. That would have been my inclination, except it was our third straight day of pouring rain. For some reason, I kept thinking of guacamole and how nice the creamy avocado would be with pasta. So I went with bow-tie pasta and added avocado, tomatoes, and red pepper. And I discovered a package of leftover bacon. Perfect!

This is super simple but it turned out great. You can cook the pasta and bacon ahead of time, which simplified everything. In fact, you can make the whole thing ahead of time, except for the avocado and cherry tomatoes. The avocado is likely to turn brown if it's not added at the last minute, and we all know tomatoes lose their flavor in the fridge.


Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad

6 slices bacon
8 ounces bow-tie pasta (or rotini or shells)
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice (or to taste)
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper
5-6 cherry tomatoes
1 ripe avocado

Cook the bacon until crisp and cook the pasta according to directions on the package.

When the pasta is cool, crumble the bacon into it. Add the onion, red pepper, garlic powder, and mayonnaise and mix thoroughly. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate at this point if you are not going to eat it right away.

 Before serving, add the chopped avocado and halved cherry tomatoes.




9 comments:

  1. Aren't you clever?
    My challenge is buying good avocados. They go from rock to rot and skip the yummy stage.

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    Replies
    1. I know what you mean, Libby. I do live them, though!

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  2. Two of my favorite things: avocado and bacon! This makes a great twist on the same old salads.

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    1. We enjoyed it. The bacon isn't overwhelming but it adds a lot of flavor.

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  3. This looks great and answers the what will I make for dinner tomorrow question! I stumbled across "Murder She Barked" at the library and loved it, can't wait for "the Ghost and Mrs. Mewer". Will Mr. Luciano be back to film his ghosts? I love the diva series too. Now if I can just talk my husband into moving to Virginia!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tracey! You're much too kind. Yes! Mr. Luciano will be back with a ghost hunting team. I hope you'll like it!

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  4. All my favorite foods in one dish. Yum!

    Daryl / Avery

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  5. We will absolutely love this, Krista, and we will be making it. I agree with Daryl: all our favorite foods.

    XO

    MJ

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