Soap Queen

Tutorials on soapmaking, bath fizzies, lotions and more

Tutorials by difficulty level:

Zucchini & Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

Filed Under: Soap Queen Cuisine


Zucchini Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
Summer is perfect for outdoor get togethers. And what’s a gathering without delicious food? I recently attended a barbecue at a friend’s house and needed to bring a side dish. This fresh and simple Zucchini & Pesto Pasta Salad was quite a hit! Full of fresh veggies, tangy feta cheese and delicious pesto, it’s a great alternative to the classic mayo-based pasta salad.

For this recipe, I used Italian trottole pasta. The shape holds onto sauce really well and is so fun to eat. But, if you have trouble finding it at your grocery store, penne or rotini pasta would work as well. This pasta salad can be served both hot or cold. If you plan on serving it cold, I recommend making it several hours (5-6) or the night before. The hot pasta will absorb lots of the flavor while it cools, then you can add a little extra pesto right before serving if you like.

Zucchini Pesto Pasta Salad [Read more…]

Soap Queen Cuisine: Brussels Sprout & Spaghetti Squash Pesto Salad

Filed Under: Soap Queen Cuisine

I’m willing to bet that like me, several of you want to get healthier in 2015! While I’m usually good about staying away from refined sugar and carbs, the holidays are full of temptation and I had to partake in the goodies a few times =). To help get back on track, this Brussels Sprout & Spaghetti Squash Pesto Salad is full of healthy greens and zesty flavors. It’s a great alternative to salads made of leafy greens, such as kale or romaine.

brusselsproutsalad1_edited-1
If you have never made spaghetti squash before, it’s a lot of fun. Once roasted, the flesh becomes a stringy, spaghetti-like texture that can be easily scraped out. With the appearance of noodles, spaghetti squash is often used as a gluten-free alternative in many pasta recipes. In this salad, brussels sprouts are added to give a nice crunch and texture. If you are a lover of pesto (like me!), this dish will be right up your alley.
[Read more…]