Ensalada de Coditos con Jamón
This Ensalada de Coditos (Macaroni Pasta with Ham) is deliciously creamy and perfect as a side for dinner, entertaining and of course a weekend BBQ!
Servings: 8
Calories: 209kcal
Ingredients
- ½ lb elbow pasta cooked
- ½ small green bell pepper rinsed and chopped
- ½ small red bell pepper rinsed and chopped
- ½ small red onion chopped
- 1 cup ham steak cubed
- 1-2 tablespoon vegetable oil
For Salad Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro rinsed and finely chopped
- 1¼ tablespoon lemon juice about ½ lemon depending on size
- 1-2 teaspoon garlic paste
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Cook the pasta per box instructions. Rinse and drain under cold water to stop the cooking process. Add about a tablespoon of oil and stir to prevent the pasta from clumping. Then set aside.
Salad Dressing
- Add the chopped cilantro, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice and garlic to a glass bowl. Whisk or stir together to combine the ingredients well. Season the salad dressing with a little bit of salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Add the pasta, chopped veggies and ham to a bowl. Top with the dressing and stir to combine well. Taste and adjust for additional salt and pepper if needed.
Serving
- The salad is ready and can be served right away or refrigerate it for an hour or two. Chilling the salad enhances the flavors and allows them to meld.
Notes
Garlic Paste
If you do not have homemade garlic paste, add two garlic cloves to a mortar and pestle and mash until paste forms. Add a teaspoon and a half of olive or vegetable oil and mix.
You can also use a mini chopper if you do not have a mortar and pestle as well as finely mince garlic and then carefully mash with the back of a heavy-duty knife.
For Salad Variations
You can personalize this salad to suit your own taste.
Some additional variations include:
- peas
- thinly sliced fresh broccoli
- chopped scallions
- shredded carrots
- chopped celery
- chopped boiled eggs
- cheese cubes like cheddar
- use different shapes of pasta
Nutrition
Serving: 8 | Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 498mg | Potassium: 215mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg