If you were given the challenge to make an easy dish with one unlikely ingredient what would you make? I was recently working on a campaign with the Soy Vay brand and they encouraged us to make a simple dish with an unlikely combination of ingredients. This got my creative juices flowing but after much debate I decided to go with a Sweet and Sour Bow Tie Pasta salad. What makes this salad unique is the addition of fresh mandarins to it.
I must admit that I was not a big fan of sweet and sour dishes for a very long time until I had an amazing orange chicken dish at an Asian restaurant. Since then I have opened up more to the sweet and sour world.
I initially thought of adding sliced peaches but I scratched that idea because these are out of season and the ones I found at the store were flavorless and expensive. Pineapple is a popular sweet addition to savory dishes but I figured the fibrous texture and tartness may not go too well with the other ingredients. Mandarins were the next best choice as they complement spinach very well and offer a great flavor contrast to the other ingredients.
I know what you are thinking….this can’t possibly taste good, but let me tell you it really does!
Why bow tie pasta? I chose bow tie pasta because it’s flat surface can be easily picked up with a fork in a salad. Hoisin garlic sauce which has a strong salty and slightly sweet flavor provides the perfect contrast to the fresh mandarins. Green onions, carrots and red cabbage, fresh ginger all elevate the flavor of this salad and together they created a party of bold flavors.
A salad like this is best served for a light Saturday lunch or packed lunch for work on a weekday. It even tastes better the next day plus it’s easy, unique and very tasty!
If you are looking for a more traditional pasta salad you will love my Zesty Orzo and Veggie Salad.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Servings |
people
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- 1 16 ounce package Bow Tie Pasta
- 4 cups Fresh organic spinach
- 1 cup Sliced red cabbage
- 1 cup Shredded carrots
- 3 tbsp Hoisin Garlic Sauce
- 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp Minced Fresh ginger
- 3 small Peeled and segmented mandarins
- 2 Green onions sliced
Ingredients
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- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook bowtie pasta at a boil till al dente i.e tender but with a bite, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Mix pasta, spinach, cabbage, onion, carrots, ginger and mandarins in a large bowl.
- Mix Hoisin sauce and oil together and pour over pasta mixture. Stir to coat. Serve warm or cold.
This looks so good! I am all about pasta. I need to make this for dinner one day.
OMG WHAT AN INTERESTING take on the whole SWEET & SOUR thing!!! And I loveeeeeee BOW TIE pasta!
This dish sounds yummy. I love sweet and sour and adding pasta sounds so good to me.
This sounds so good! I love pasta salads but I’ve never had a sweet and sour one! Must try!
Looks like a great pasta salad recipe! I may just try it!
Love salad and pasta salad is up my street, nice addition with the oranges never tried that.
Actually, I have never had a sour and sour dish and I’m just imagining how it would taste. But if you love this salad recipe, I wouldn’t mind trying it out too.
I love pasta and it is worth a try. I will go for it.
I never thought to put oranges in pasta. I guess it can’t be bad.
It is weird combos like this that make a dish really tasty! I will have to try this out, it looks like it would make a great lunch 🙂
This looks super healthy, easy and appetizing . Yummmm
Two of my favorites – pasta and salad and I will add a glass of vino during night time.
I’ll add your recipe to my list!
This pasta looks so very healthy and delicious! I will write down the ingredients.
My first thought was mandarin and spinach!!!!! But I guess I should try it with an open mind. Not so long ago I hated the idea of oranges and chocolate. Today they are my absolute favourite
this is such a cool take on an old classic! Love the photographs!
Love this sweet and sour bow tie pasta salad. great for busy weekdays. yum.
I love that you added oranges. Bowtie pasta is one of my faves.
I love BOW TIE pasta! this is an INTERESTING take on SWEET & SOUR! I HAVE to try this ASAP!
I love putting fresh cut apples in my salads never tried mandarins. Looks good and will give the salad and extra kick!
I love sweet and sour pastas! And I like this one because it has both fruits and vegetables. I will try making this at home.