Food Truck Hawaiian Mac Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Dressing:
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely grated
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For the Salad:
- 1 lb dried elbow macaroni
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 carrots, finely grated
- 1/4 cup celery, finely diced
Preparation Steps:
- Prepare the Dressing:
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the half and half, mayonnaise, grated onion, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until the mixture is smooth.
- Place the dressing in the refrigerator to chill while preparing the rest of the salad. This allows the flavors to meld together.
- Cook the Macaroni:
- Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions but extend the cooking time by 5 minutes. Overcooking the macaroni helps it absorb the dressing better.
- Once the macaroni is cooked, drain it and return it to the pot.
- Season the Macaroni:
- Pour the apple cider vinegar over the hot macaroni and stir well until the vinegar is fully absorbed. This step adds a slight tang to the pasta and helps in flavor absorption.
- Cover the pot and let the macaroni cool to room temperature, which should take about 20 minutes.
- Mix the Salad:
- After the macaroni has cooled, add half of the chilled dressing to the pot. Mix thoroughly to ensure that each piece of macaroni is coated.
- Cover the pot again and let it sit for another 20 minutes to cool further and allow the flavors to combine.
- Add Vegetables and Remaining Dressing:
- Stir in the finely grated carrots and diced celery into the macaroni mixture. Pour in the remaining dressing and mix well.
- Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Chill the Salad:
- Refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours before serving. This chilling period helps the flavors to develop more fully and ensures the salad is refreshingly cool.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve this Hawaiian Mac Salad as a side dish at your next barbecue or potluck. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or seafood.
Enjoy your delicious Food Truck Hawaiian Mac Salad, a creamy and satisfying dish that captures the essence of Hawaiian-inspired flavors!
