This recipe was found from Aaron McCargo JR, the Next Food Network Star. His show is actually pretty decent. After watching it I attempted this Macaroni Salad.

Please remember that 2 pounds is a lot of noodles, which I found out the hard way. If you want to make the recipe as is, I would suggest two pots for noodles, and a lot of refrigerator space to cool the noodles.

Mega Egga Macaroni Salad Recipe

If you just want to try the recipe, I would suggest using half of everything. The full two pounds will serve a lot of people, and then some!

Ingredients

2 pounds elbow noodles
12 hard boiled eggs, peeled and diced
1/2 onion, finely diced
4 celery stalks, finely diced
3 cups heavy mayonnaise
2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon coarsely cracked black pepper
Dash of hot sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup pickle relish (optional, I didn’t use this)

Directions

In a large pot with salt, boil pasta for 12 to 15 minutes until cooked. Stir often. Drain and cool. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Cooking Tip: I would try putting the pasta on a large cooking sheet or something similar. Keeping it in a bowl will only cool the noodles on top, the ones at the middle and bottom will stay warm.

In a large pot with a dash of salt, add eggs on medium high heat. Bring to a boil. Cover and remove from heat. Let eggs sit for 6 to 7 minutes. Remove eggs and shock in ice water. Once thoroughly cooled, peel eggs and roughly dice.

Cooking Tip: This is the perfect method to boiling eggs. They came out very well cooked when I did this. I even made more just to eat hard boiled eggs alone.

Place pasta in a large bowl. Add onions, celery, eggs, relish, mayonnaise, salt and pepper, hot sauce and Worcestershire. Mix until well combined.

Being on a diet, almost anything with chicken and salad, you can’t go wrong.

Grilled Chicken Salad with Honey Ginger Dressing recipe serves 4

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1-2 pounds)
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
8 cups mesclun salad greens (7 ounces)
1 ripe mango, peeled and cute into bite-size cubes
salt and pepper for taste

Cooking Tip: While the chicken is grilling, cut the mango and make the honey-ginger dressing.

Chicken Directions

Heat a grill pan (or grill) over medium-high heat. Brush the chicken with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Place the chicken smooth side down on the grill and cook until edges turn opaque, about 6 minutes. Turn the chicken over and cook until firm to touch, about 6 minutes more. Transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest for about 5 minutes.

Dressing Directions

Combine the lemon juice, honey, and ginger in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil (4 tablespoons). First start with a few drops and then add the rest in a steady stream, to make a smooth, slightly thick dressing.

Salad Directions

To put the salad together, slice or shred the chicken into pieces and add it to the greens along with the mango and dressing. Toss and divide the salad among 4 large plates and serve.

Cooking Tip: This is an excellent appetizer or side dish. Especially if you want to make the same recipe for 6-8 people. The salad portions will be smaller and a nice taste for a main course.

[source Food Network]

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Grilled Asparagus with Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

2 bunches medium asparagus (about 2 pounds) peeled and woody stems trimmed
2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups grape or cherry tomoatoes, halved
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
freshly ground black pepper

Cooking Tip: To “peel” the asparagus just peel off some of the thick stalk.

Directions

Arrange the asparagus in a microwave-safe dish, cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. (You can also steam the asparagus if you don’t want to microwave it). Brush asparagus with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and set aside.

Toss tomatoes and mozzarella cheese in a large both with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.

Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Grill asparagus, turning occasionally, until tender and lightly charred, about 5 minutes. Cut asparagus in half crosswide and arrange as desired. Place salad in the middle of serving dish. Be creative with it!

Cooking Tip: This is a great appetizer or side dish.