Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Fresh Basil & Pine Nuts

This salad can easily be a main course by adding smoked salmon
or pulled chicken... even sliced or chopped pepperoni or salami

This salad is a wonderful summer salad.  It goes perfect with anything - a sandwich for lunch or even on its own, mixed with chopped leftover chicken, smoked salmon or go pure veggie with some avocado or broccoli.  My garden is overflowing with fresh basil at the moment, so I think this salad is a great way to use a bunch of this fragrant, fresh herb.

If you don't have Pine Nuts, use something else, like chopped walnuts.  Make sure you give them a few minutes in a skilled to toast their flavor.  It does make a nice difference in the salad.  Just be careful though, nuts can burn so easy.  HINT:  If you have a Costco Membership, look for Pine Nuts there.  They are, by far, cheaper than buying them a half cup at a time at the grocery store!  Freeze them to retain their freshness.

Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Serves 6-8

3 Cups dried Fasilli or Bow Tie Pasta
1/2 Cup good quality olive oil
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, smashed with 1 tsp salt into a paste
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced into ribbons, then chopped
1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, sliced in half
1/3 cup sliced green onions with tops
1/3 cup sliced black olives
1/3 cup pine nuts or chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
2/3 cup shredded parmesan or mozzarella cheese

OPTIONS:  Add 1/3 cup frozen peas, 1/3 cup finely diced red or yellow pepper, 1 cup small brocolli pieces, 1 cup sliced pepperoni, 1 cup cut up chicken or smoked salmon.. use your imagination.


Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain immediately and set aside to cool.
2. In small mixing bowl, smash garlic and salt together. 
3. Whisk in red wine vinegar, mustard and add salt and pepper. 
4. Slowly, whisk in olive oil
5. In a large bowl, combine dressing and pasta.  Toss in basil, tomatoes nuts and other additions.  Pour vinaigrette over top and toss all together gently.
6. Serve immediately or chill slightly before serving.