PASTA SALAD WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Pasta Salad With Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto image

Provided by COOKGIRl

Time 25m

Yield 5-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup packed fresh basil leaf
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (curly or flat leaf)
2 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (don't use pre-grated cheese!)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
8 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
2 -3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (I used white balsamic) or 2 -3 tablespoons red wine vinegar (I used white balsamic)
4 cups cooked pasta, drained chilled (of your choice)

Steps:

Pesto: Lightly toast the pine nuts and set aside.
In a food processor or blender add the basil, garlic, and parsley. Process until finely chopped.
Add the pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and salt; process using the PULSE setting until just blended.
With the appliance running, gradually add the olive oil through the feed tube, processing until a smooth paste is formed.
Add the sun-dried tomatoes and vinegar of choice, processing until the tomatoes are finely chopped but flecks are still visible.
Yield: 1 1/2 cups pesto.
Pasta Salad: Transfer the cooked, chilled pasta to a pretty salad bowl and stir in the pesto sauce, making sure the pasta is generously coated. (You may or may not use up all the pesto sauce.).
Cover salad bowl and chill the salad up to 6 hours.
Yield is estimated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 295.7, Fat 16.1, SaturatedFat 2.7, Cholesterol 4.4, Sodium 207.2, Carbohydrate 33.9, Fiber 6.2, Sugar 0.2, Protein 5.9