Recipe: Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing

Many people appreciate having a tasty pasta salad in their recipe repertoire, preferably one that can be made in advance. At this time of the year, think tailgates, school functions or just a salad that will keep a few days in your refrigerator to munch on when hunger hits. Up to 8 hours prior to the event, toss the sauce with garlic, Parmesan, pine nuts and pasta. Stir basil into salad just before serving then garnish as directed in the recipe.

Yield: apx. 6-7 cups Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/4 pound bow tie (farfalle) pasta
• 4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigianno Reggiano, plus 2 tablespoons or 4-ounce log goat cheese
• 1/4 cup Hellman's mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Pinch of cayenne
• 1/3 cup pine nuts, plus 2 tablespoons toasted
• 1/3 cup fresh basil, plus 2 tablespoons chopped or sliced into chiffonade

Directions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.

2. In a food processor, purée the sun-dried tomatoes with packing oil, olive oil and garlic. If using goat cheese, process goat cheese into the mixture. Otherwise, stir 1/2 cup of the Parmesan into the mixture.

3. Thoroughly combine sun-dried tomato mixture with mayonnaise. Toss with cooked pasta, 1/3 cup basil and 1/3 cup of pine nuts. Season to taste with kosher salt.

4. Place in large bowl or container. Sprinkle top with remaining pine nuts, grated Parmesan, if using, and basil.

This recipe was written by Peggy Lampman and originally posted on AnnArbor.com on Oct. 3, 2011.