Mandarin & Sunflower Chopped Pasta Salad

Name: Mandarin & Sunflower Chopped Pasta Salad | Taylor Farms
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Taylor Farms Sunflower Crunch Chopped Kit; ½ lb. Farfalle (bow tie) pasta; 1 can mandarin oranges; 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Pasta salad is truly one of the world’s great culinary creations. And while we’re certainly fans of traditional pasta salads, it’s never a bad idea to shake things up a bit, especially when it involves the bright, citrusy flavors of mandarin oranges. As chance would have it, our vibrant Sunflower Crunch Chopped Salad Kit has all the makings for a uniquely flavorful and satisfying pasta salad — all you need is the pasta! (and also some mandarins & cranberries).

Farfalle pasta and canned mandarins serve as the perfect foundation for our Sunflower Crunch Chopped Salad Kit. In the kit, you’ve got fresh green leaf, kale, sunflower seeds, and crumbled bacon tossed with a sweet onion coleslaw dressing. If you have about 15 minutes, you have all the time you need to cook up this easy yet elegant pasta salad.

Total TIME

15 minutes

SERVINGS

Ingredients

1 Taylor Farms Sunflower Crunch Chopped Kit
½ lb. farfalle (bow tie) pasta
1 can mandarin oranges
1/4 cup dried cranberries

Directions

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Strain and rinse with cool water until pasta has cooled down.
In a large bowl, add the contents of the Taylor Farms Sunflower Crunch Chopped Kit, reserving half of the toppings. Add in the cooked pasta, cranberries, and mandarin oranges and toss to combine.
Garnish with the reserved toppings. Enjoy!

Mandarins 101

Mardarin oranges seem to be one of those fruits that most people are familiar with but don’t really know much, except maybe knowing their distinct taste that’s less sweet than a standard orange and with a bit more tartness. And if you’re wondering why we included mandarins in this recipe, it’s because tangerines are a specific type of mandarin orange. Is your mind blown yet?

They’re packed with vitamins — especially vitamin C. The peel of the mandarin has a unique, aromatic scent and contains essential oils that are often used in traditional medicine and perfumery. (Want to try it for yourself? Simmer a small pot of water with tangerine or mandarin peels and cloves for an easy way to make your home smell cozy and fresh.)

Here are some clever uses for tangerines in the kitchen.

Mandarin zest: Grate the outer peel and sprinkle it on salads, desserts, or use it as a garnish for cocktails. It adds a zesty and aromatic flavor!
Mandarin-infused olive oil: Let mandarin orange peels steep in olive oil for a week, and you’ve got a flavorful oil perfect for dressings or sautéing.
Mandarin ice cubes: Freeze mandarin juice in ice cube trays. Pop them in sparkling water for a refreshing summer drink or in tea for added flavor.
Mandarin sorbet: Blend mandarin juice, sugar, and a hint of lime. Freeze the mixture to create a refreshing sorbet!
Mandarin glaze: Simmer mandarin orange juice with a bit of honey or sugar until thickened, then brush over roasted meats or desserts for a bright, citrusy finish.