Pasta À La Kitchen Sink

Ingredients

• Ingredients for Candied Almonds
• 1 tablespoon corn syrup
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• Ingredients for Ginger Dressing
• 3/4 cups sour cream
• 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
• 1 clove garlic crushed
• 2 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 tablespoon hot pepper sauce or to taste
• Ingredients for Salad
• 6 strips bacon
• 8 ounces uncooked rotini pasta
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 rib celery sliced thin
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1 11-ounce can mandarin oranges sections drained
• 2 cups seedless green grapess halved
• 2 avocados peeled, pitted and diced

Instructions

1. 1
   Prepare the almonds: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the corn syrup and sugar; stir in the almonds and coat well. Cover a baking sheet with foil or parchment and scatter the almonds, breaking up large bunches. Bake 12 to 18 minutes, until they have begun to brown. Cool and peel almonds off paper or parchment, breaking up clumps; set aside.
2. 2
   Fry the bacon crisp; drain on paper towel, crumble and set aside.
3. 3
   Cook the rotini according to package directions. Drain, rinse in cold water, and drain again.
4. 4
   In a large bowl combine the rotini, chicken, celery, green onions, mandarin oranges, grapes and avocados.
5. 5
   Prepare the dressing: Combine the sour cream, ginger, garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and hot pepper sauce in a blender or food processor.
6. 6
   Toss salad and dressing, and chill several hours to blend flavors.
7. 7
   Just before serving add bacon and almonds. Toss well and serve.