D'Amico & Sons Turkey with Dried Cherries Pasta Salad

D'Amico & Sons Turkey with Dried Cherries Pasta Salad
Salad:
1 pound rotini
1 1/2-2 cups cooked, diced turkey breast
1 c dried cherries
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 diced celery stalks
1 c whole toasted almonds

Poppy-seed dressing:
1/4 c powdered sugar
2 tbls. champagne vinegar
2 c real mayonnaise
2 tbls. poppy seeds
2 tbls. cold water
2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper

To make salad:
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Chill. Combine with turkey, cherries, onion, celery, and almonds.

To make dressing: Combine powdered sugar and vinegar. Add mayo, water, poppy seeds, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Add to pasta and toss to combine.

Servings: 6-8 (I'd say more. It was a pretty big salad with a full pound of pasta.)

SOURCE: I got this from Val Hix who got it from the Pioneer Press.

NOTES: I've eaten this recipe almost as written and it was excellent! I did make a few changes when I made it yesterday though:
I used a 12.5 ounce can of chicken instead of the turkey
I used 1/2 mayo and 1/2 miracle whip for the dressing. In addition, I didn't have champagne vinegar so I used balsamic vinegar instead. Val made it with a raspberry blush vinegar and it worked well.
I don't think whole almonds would be pleasant to bite into in a salad, so I would recommend slivered. Actually, I used pecans instead of the almonds and it was very good.
I didn't have more than 1/4 c dried cherries so I filled in with craisins. It was great!

Frozen Corn

Another recipe from Grandma. This is my all time favorite corn recipe. I still remember removing corn from the cob on those hot August days.

15 cups cooked corn
3/4 cups sugar
2 tbsp. salt
5 cups ice water

Let stand in refrigerator to good and cold and put in freezer bags.

Six Cheese Rigatoni

I got this from Market Panty Rigatoni noodles. The love this.

3 1/2 cups rigatoni (1/2 package)
1 1/4 cups half and half
1 (8 oz) pkg shredded italian six-cheese blend
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, thoroughly combine cheese, cornstarch and salt; set aside. In medium saucepan, over Medium-low heat, bring half and half just to a simmer; stirring occasionally. Gradually add cheese mixture, whisk until cheese is completely melted and sauce is smooth.

Pour sauce over pasta; toss to coat. Serve with Parmesan cheese and black pepper.