Avocado Orange Pepper Pasta Salad

Penne pasta with avocado, orange, red bell pepper, green onion and cilantro in a vegetable oil, white wine vinegar, orange juice, orange marmalade, and Dijon mustard vinaigrette.

Ingredients -

1/3 cups Orange Juice
3 tablespoons Orange Marmalade
1 1/2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
8 ounces Dry Penne Pasta, cooked, rinsed with cold water and drained well (4 cups cooked)
1 Avocado, seeded, peeled and sliced
2 Small Oranges, peeled and sectioned
seeded, if necessary
1 Red Sweet Bell Pepper, cut into 1/2-inch squares
3 Green Onions, sliced diagonally
1/4 cup sliced Cilantro Leaves (lightly packed)

Preparation:

1. Whisk together orange juice, orange marmalade, vegetable oil, white wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard in large bowl.

2. Add cooked penne pasta. Mix well. Cover bowl and refrigerate.

3. When ready to serve add avocado, orange sections, red bell pepper, green onion and cilantro.

4. Toss gently to mix flavors.

Cooking Tip

Avocado

Avocados are a healthy substitution for foods rich in saturated fat, due to their poly and monounsaturated fat content.

Cooking Tip

Cilantro Leaves

You could substitute parsley for the cilantro if you don not like the taste of cilantro.