Special Diet Information
Coumadin® (Warfarin)
This recipe is safe for Coumadin (warfarin) users.
Lactose
This recipe contains cheese and some of those who are lactose intolerant may be able to tolerate it.
Sodium
This is a low sodium recipe.
GERD / Acid Reflux
This recipe contains GERD triggers and those with GERD may wish to avoid it.
Gluten Sensitivity
This recipe is safe for those who are sensitive to gluten. Use gluten-free pasta in this dish. (Note that blue cheese is gluten-free.)
"Life is great. Cheese makes it better." -Avery Aames
The refrigerator light goes on...
I love blue cheese. It makes a great ingredient for adding to almost anything, especially salads. One problem is that people often use too much. I ordered a salad recently at a restaurant and there was way too much blue cheese. It doesn't take much to be overwhelming: just a little bit brings a lot of savory saltiness to your dish with a pungent tartness of its own.
This salad is a great example of that right balance. The sour, creamy flavor of the cheese balances the tartness of the balsamic onions and enhances the savory taste of the roasted chicken. The best part is that the blue cheese brings a lot of saltiness to the pasta salad, so you need to add only a little salt to the dish, keeping the total sodium content low.
Braised Balsamic Onion Pasta Salad
Servings: 4 | Serving size: about 2 cups
Cooking time: 30 minutes (Cooking time does not include chilling time.)
This recipe can easily be multiplied and makes very good leftovers.
| 6 quarts | water |
| 8 ounces | whole wheat or gluten free bowties or elbows |
| 2 tsp. | olive oil |
| 4 medium | onions (thinly sliced) |
| 6 Tbsp. | balsamic vinegar |
| 1/2 cup | vegetable broth |
| 16 ounces | boneless, skinless chicken thighs (leave whole) |
| 1 medium | red bell pepper (seeded and diced) |
| 4 Tbsp. | pine nuts |
| to taste | fresh ground black pepper |
| 1/4 tsp. | salt |
| 3 ounces | blue cheese (crumbled) |
Place a large skillet in the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F.
Place the water in a large sauce pan over high heat. When the water boils, add the pasta.
Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes until the pasta is tender, but not mushy.
Drain and place in a large mixing bowl.
While the pasta is cooking, place the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat.
Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, for about 7 minutes, until the onions begin to brown. Adjust the heat so that the onions don't burn.
Add the vinegar and vegetable broth and stir.
Cover, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for 7 minutes. Stir occasionally.
While the onions are cooking, add the chicken thighs to the skillet in the oven.
Roast for about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and let cool for 5 minutes.
When the onions are done, add them to the bowl with the pasta and gently fold together.
Cut the cooked chicken thighs in 1/2 inch cubes, add to the bowl with the pasta, then gently fold together.
Add the red pepper, pine nuts, pepper, salt, and blue cheese to the bowl.
Fold together gently and chill well before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: about 2 cups
Amount Per Serving
| Calories 489 | Calories from Fat 153 |
| % Daily Value |
| Total Fat 17g | |
| Saturated Fat 6g | 26% |
| Monounsaturated Fat 5g | |
| Trans Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 82mg | 27% |
| Sodium 448mg | 19% |
| Total Carbohydrates 60g | 46% |
| Dietary Fiber 7g | 30% |
| Sugars 12g | |
| Protein 27g |
| Vitamin A 16% | Vitamin C 81% |
| Calcium 18% | Iron 18% |
| Vitamin K 10mcg | Potassium 582mg |
| Magnesium 103mg | |