Need some great lunch ideas!

[aggie94]

I know you guys will come through for me! I am going to a lunch potluck tomorrow and need some ideas on what to bring. The weather is beautiful, so I was thinking something light. The chicken sandwich on the cover of June looks fabulous, but sandwiches aren't very potlucky (and I have no clue how many people are coming, but probably not more than a dozen).

Any suggestions? Maybe a light casserole or something? I'm trying to avoid brunchy-type dishes. Oh, and it doesn't have to be light.

TIA!

[AudreyOB]

I made the Confetti Pasta Salad with Chicken (CL 5/'00) last week for a lunch and it was a big hit. The only change I would make is to use different pasta, perhaps shells instead of the ditalini. Overall, great flavor, and lots of veggies to add color!

[aggie94]

I ran a search for this chicken salad but didn't find it. Can you post the recipe for me? Thanks a bunch!

[AudreyOB]

I'm so sorry! Yesterday was my birthday, and I wasn't online.

Here's the recipe:

Confetti Pasta Salad with Chicken

1/2 C water
1/4 C dry white wine
3 (4 oz) skinned, boned chicken breast halves
1 large garlic clove, sliced
1 1/2 C plain low-fat yogurt
1/4 C light mayonnaise
2 1/2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs. cider vinegar
2 tsp. spicy brown mustard
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. black pepper
4 C cooked tubetti or ditalini pasta (about 1 1/3 C uncoooked pasta)
1/2 C chopped celery
1/2 C finely chopped green bell pepper
1/2 C finely chopped carrot
1/4 C chopped fresh parsley

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until chicken is done. Remove chicken pieces from the broth; cool and coarsely chop. Bring broth to a boil over high heat; cook until reduced to 1/4 C, (about 5 minutes). Cool.

2. Spoon yogurt onto several layers of heaby duty paper towels, and spread to 1/2 inch thickness. Cover with additional paper towels, and let stand 5 minutes. Scrape into a bowl using a rubber spatula.

3. Combine reduced broth, yogurt, mayo, and next 7 ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in chicken, pasta and remaining ingredients. Cover and chill thoroughly. Yield: 8 servings, serving size: 1 cup)

CALORIES: 209 (17% from fat); FAT 3.9g (sat 1.1g, mono 1g, poly 1.4g); PROTEIN 16g; CARB 25.7g; FIBER 1.9g; CHOL 30mg; IRON 1.8 mg; SODIUM 359mg; CALC 106mg.

Note: I used the Tyson precooked chicken breasts to save time, and picked the recipe up starting with the wine/water mixture and boiled it down. Also, like I said earlier, it might be better with bigger pasta.

Good luck.

[emilycat]

Ooh, Happy Birthday, Audrey!
Hope you had a great day!

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 05-21-2001).]

[Grace]

I also think the Spring Tortellini Salad would be perfect.

[aggie94]

That's OK, Audrey. Hope you had a happy birthday!

I ended up bringing something akin to the spring tortellini salad, and it went over great. I have a potluck cookout that I'm going to over the Memorial Day weekend, so I might try out the confetti chicken salad for that. Thanks!