Sometimes I just need a little inspiration

Its been awhile, again.  I'm sorry.  My life gets a little crazy when summer rolls around and this year was a little more hectic than most.  But that's nothing to do with recipes and yummy foods, so how about I get right to it?

A few days ago, I had a delightful, delicious salad from a local pastry cottage.  It was called Teriyaki Bowtie Spinach salad.  It had all sorts of yummy treats in it.  I wanted to take a big bowl to a friend's home today.  I called and asked if I could order some.  I wanted enough to feed 10 people.  They told me they didn't do large quantities and would charge me for each individual salad... which would total somewhere in the ball park of $80.00.  I love my friends, but wow.  So I decided to make one up.  I don't have a name for it yet other than "WOW THAT'S GOOD!" Let me know if you have some ideas.  Here's what I did instead.

Ingredients:
1/2 bag small shell noodles, cooked and cooled
1 small bag baby spinach
1 small bag roasted, salted cashew pieces
1 can mandarin oranges
1 clam shell of fresh raspberries*
1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese**
1 small bottle sesame ginger dressing ***
2 grilled chicken breasts, chopped ****

Directions:
Cook your noodles as directed.  Drain them and cool them well.  Hot pasta will always absorb any dressing you put on it, leaving your salad sticky and somewhat dry.

In a large bowl, toss together all  your ingredients.  I used a pair of tongs.  Then I poured half the bottle of dressing over the top and tossed some more.  I personally like more dressing so I added about half of what was left.  I always save a little dressing when I'm making pasta salads just in case the noodles suck it dry by the time I want to eat it. Then I stuck it in the fridge and here's what it looks like!

Like I said, "WOW. THAT'S GOOD!"  I might sprinkle a little salt and pepper on it.  The jury is out on that one.  And the entire thing cost me about $20.00.

* The salad I had originally used dried cranberries.  Since berries are fresh this time of year, I went with fresh raspberries.  I'm not a blueberry fan and blackberries aren't sweet enough.
**  No cheese in the original, but I like the contrast it brought with the sweetness of the fruit and the dressing.  Parmesan might be good.
*** Here's the brand of dressing I used.  I found it in the produce section of Harmon's.  It was on sale.  I didn't buy it because we have a good history.

**** I didn't have time to grill any chicken, but the original had some and it was tasty.  I'd definitely keep it as part of the salad if I had time.  Also, that's a nice way to add some protein and make it more of meal, rather than side dish.

And that's how I cook, people.  haha Sorry its not more specific!