Trio Salad Plate-Crumbley

FOR PASTA SALAD

• For vegetables: Rinse the tomatoes under clean, cold, running water, then drain them thoroughly. Slice the grape tomatoes in half. If broccoli has not been prewashed, rinse it under clean, cold, running water, then drain it thoroughly. If needed, cut florets into bitesize pieces. Cover the vegetables with plastic wrap and refrigerate them until time for assembly.
• For the pasta: Heat the water to a rolling boil. Slowly add the pasta to the boiling water. Cook the pasta for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta well in a colander. Rinse the pasta in a colander under cold, running water. Place the pasta in a large bowl.

Pasta amounts are based on USDA Food Buying Guide. Overcooking or hot holding pasta for long periods of time will increase the volume and the yield. Pasta may also be cooked in a
steamer or combi oven. Different steamers and combi ovens vary in time and settings, so check with the manufacturer for correct instructions.

• Toss the vegetables gently with cooled pasta. Combine the salt, Italian Spice Blend, ranch dressing mix, buttermilk, and mayonnaise. Mix well to combine. Pour the ranch dressing mix over the pasta and vegetables. Stir well to combine.

• Cover the salad and cool it in the refrigerator overnight.

• Toss the salad before portioning.

FOR THE CHICKEN SALAD:

• Thaw the diced chicken in the refrigerator, then drain it thoroughly.

• Chop the hard-cooked eggs.

• Combine the chicken, eggs, celery, pickle relish, pepper, dry mustard, and mayonnaise. Mix the ingredients lightly, until they are well blended. Cover and refrigerate the chicken salad until ready for assembly.

FOR THE PIMENTO CHEESE:

• Drain the liquid from the pimento peppers.
• Combine the shredded cheese, mayonnaise, and drained pimentos. Mix the ingredients lightly until they are well blended.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready for assembly.

Rinse the strawberries under cool running water. Then drain them thoroughly. Slice into a fan shape. Cover and refrigerate until ready for assembly.

If the lettuce greens are not prewashed, separate the leaves, then rinse them well under cool, running water, then drain them thoroughly. Cut the leaves to use as liners for each salad container. Cover the lettuce and refrigerate until ready for assembly.

To assemble the salads:

• In the center of the large compartment of the salad container, place a lettuce leaf liner.
• With a #16 scoop, portion ¼ cup of the chicken salad on the left of the lettuce leaf.
• With a #12 scoop, portion 1/3 cup of the pimento cheese to the right of the chicken salad.
• Place 2 fanned strawberries between the salads.
• With a #6 scoop, portion ¾ cup of pasta salad in the top right section.
• Place 2 packets of saltine crackers in the top left section.
• Close and refrigerate for service.

Portion one Trio Salad Plate for serving. Each portion provides 2 oz. eq. meat/meat alternate, 2 oz. eq. enriched grain and ¼ cup other vegetable.