california club pasta salad recipe for those lazy summer days. We love the chunks of chicken, avocado and salty, crisp bacon!
I’m pretty sure that we could possibly be voted as a few of the most strict parents ever. And why? Well, for one we don’t pay an allowance. I know you’re all gasping right now, but it’s true. Guess what else, we don’t pay for good grades either. Oh, what?! I know! AND to add even more to the pot we also expect our kiddos to clean their rooms, help set the table, help with one meal a day and put their dishes away. So this California Club Pasta Salad recipe has been put together by all of us.
So I guess I’d better explain what this pasta salad recipe and us being strict parents is all about. I was trying to think up a delicious dinner and found a jar of our favorite honey avocado dressing so, I had one kiddo washing tomatoes and another tearing up spinach in a bowl when I heard a blurb on the radio about being parents and how kids have a right to be kids and we can stop being parents of the past where kids are expected to work for everything. Um, say what? Yes, kids absolutely should play, get messy and be silly, but I think we are doing a disservice to our children if we let them only play and forget to teach them about work. In fact I think it even is the reason behind the next generation having entitlement issues. I’m going to pull my thoughts together, but in the meantime, am I crazy here or is part of growing up learning that money comes from work and not an allowance and that truly being successful in life is generally related to being a contributing citizen that’s not waiting for mommy and daddy to do everything for you?
Oh, and creamy avocado dressing with bright tomatoes, fresh spinach, salty bacon and glorious cheese? Yeah, that’s pretty darn awesome.
Is Avocado a Vegetable?
Avocados are technically a fruit, not a veggie.
they grow on trees in warmer climates, and are packed with nutrients.
Are Avocados Good For You?
Avocados contain nearly 20 vitamins and minerals in every serving.
They are rich in potassium (which helps control blood pressure).
Avocados are a good source of lutein (which is good for your eyes).
They also contain folate (which is crucial for cell repair and during pregnancy).
They are low in sugar and are high in fiber.
How Can You Tell When Pasta Is Done?
Really, the only way to know if pasta is done is to taste it.
Pasta should be cooked to al dente, or firm to the bite.
California Club Pasta Salad Recipe
California Club Pasta Salad Recipe
Description
Ingredients
Honey Avocado Dressing click the link
- 16 oz pasta, mini shell, cooked and cooled
- 6 slices bacon, cooked
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 1/2 cups colby jack cheese, cubed
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
- 3 turkey tenderloins
- olive oil
- season salt
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a baking dish, add the turkey, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with a little season salt.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- Chop into 1/2" pieces and set aside.
- Place the pasta in a big bowl and add the dressing a little at a time while stirring until evenly coated, about 1 cup.
- Next, chop the bacon and toss it, the tomatoes, cheese, spinach and turkey in with the pasta and season with salt to taste.
- Chill before serving, up to one day ahead or at least 20 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products
Skinny California Chicken Club
Easy and healthy pasta salad!
Melissa
Looks delicious 🙂 how long would this salad keep for? Should I just add the dressing the day of?
Sweet Basil
Melissa,
I actually think it keeps well without the veggies and bacon in a covered container for 24-36 hours and just add the mixins when serving. Even so, I’ve eaten leftovers a day later and though the bacon wasn’t crisp it was still good.
Colleen
The salad looks wonderful! And, I am 28 years old the middle of 5 kids, and we were never paid an allowance, I was expected to help around the house and I started cooking, on my own in the third grade…I remember my mom let me bake a pan of mini m&m brownies. I wanted to do it myself so my mom allowed me to. It came out more like chocolate pudding with m&ms on the bottom but my mom just put ice cream on top and we all ate it!! I turned out just fine and I plan on raising my children the same way some day! Keep it up, your children will thank you someday!!!
Sweet Basil
I love that! I bet you would have never tried to help out in the kitchen if she had made you feel bad about the “pudding”. Thank you for your comment!
Michael@Anticatrattoria
I love how simple and yet super flavorful this salad is! All the fresh herbs, all the time. 🙂
Sweet Basil
Thank you Michael!
Cynthia
Love the recipe!! I don’t usually comment but I had to this time. We totally agree with this parenting style. Our 2 girls 13yrs old & 19yrs old also agree and just recently our 19yr old, who is home from college for the Summer, told us how much she appreciated our parenting. We love to camp as a family and I think what contributes to the fun is that we all pitch in and help. Keep it up!!!! I’m sorry that you are get criticism.
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much for your comment, Cynthia and I hope to hear from you again!!
Meredith
Do you have to worry about the dressing turning brown the next day? Or will the lemon help keep its green color? Thanks!
Sweet Basil
The lemon juice keeps it green!
Dawn
This salad looks delicious! I’m going to make it for our 4th of July celebration! And I’m right there with you on your parenting point of view. Not only is that how we raised our boys into responsible young men, but I am also a middle school teacher and can tell you exactly which of my students are raised that way and which ones are never made to be responsible for anything at home. Thank you for sharing!
Sweet Basil
Dawn, Thank you so much for commenting. It seems like we get more people who think we are strict because our kids are expected to help out around the house etc than those who agree that kids have to learn how to become responsible adults.
CakePants
This looks beyond yummy! I think it’s especially great that you have your kids help out with making meals – they’ll already know their way around the kitchen when they start living on their own! So many of my friends couldn’t cook for themselves when they graduated college (and some still can’t, to my amazement!).
Sweet Basil
I know! I am so surprised how many people write me about boiling water or defrosting meat. So sad. 🙁
Kim McLemore
Trying to get the recipe for the honey avocado dressing for California club pasta salad but having trouble please send to me
Sweet Basil
Hi Kim, here you go! https://ohsweetbasil.com/2012/10/the-wrap-that-saved-world.html
Kevin @ Closet Cooking
Now that’s my kind of pasta salad!
Sweet Basil
right?!
Maegan @thebakermama
This salad is stunning and I couldn’t agree more with your parenting style! Learning hard work and respect at an early age is sure to have a huge impact on their confidence, independence and success in life.
Sweet Basil
oh, thank you sweet friend!!!
Brittney
I totally LOVE this post!! You hit the nail right on the head with this! We didn’t get allowances, or get grade money. We also were expected to do all the things you listed. It instills good values, and I now see doing something or helping someone as a privilege. So many kids these days are completely spoiled, and don’t have consistent work ethics, and expect to get something for not a lot of effort! Thank you for posting this! The salad looks fabulous!
Sweet Basil
So true! I am amazed at how parents and children act these days. A little readjusting would do us all some good!
Gaby
I need this now, love that avocado dressing!
Tina
The pasta salad looks delicious, and I completely agree with your comments about kids these days. Most of them don’t know the value of a dollar or what it takes to earn it.
ashley | Our Full Table
Yum! Perfect for summer! I love grape tomatoes!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
I can imagine how delicious this pasta salad must be with the honey avocado dressing. I can’t wait to try it!
Sweet Basil
that dressing is my most favorite!