Beloved Bowties Pasta Salad

Father's Day a perfect day for a BBQ and family! I was lucky enough to have over 14 of my favorite family members to celebrate the occasion. I was busy all day cooking up a storm for them, chicken, tri-tips, ribs with my Peach BBQ Sauce, Baba's Chili Beans, green salad and a Beloved Bowties Pasta Salad. Did I mention dessert, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, Lemon Squares and a Banana Cake with Caramel Sauce and Fresh Bananas? We know how to do it right in this house.

Beloved Bowties Pasta Salad

1 lb. farfalle pasta - a.k.a. bowties

1 pint baby heirloom tomatoes or cherry tomatoes

1/4 cup pine nuts

1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

Put a large pot of water on to boil and add 2 or 3 teaspoons of salt. When boiling add bowties and boil for 10 minutes, till tender. Drain and set aside.

Heat a small skillet on medium heat and add a tablespoon or so of olive oil, put tomatoes in and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, you just want to heat them so they burst in your mouth when you bite into them.

Dressing

1 cup fresh basil leaves

2 cloves garlic

2 tbsp. pine nuts

2 tsp. red wine vinegar

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

In food processor or blender combine basil, garlic, pine nuts, vinegar, salt and pepper, stream in olive oil. Pulse till combined.

In a large bowl combine pasta, tomatoes, pine nuts and dressing. Serve at room temperature.

This salad was given its' cute name because bowties were my daughters' favorite as a child. The bowties could only be fixed with butter and Parmesan cheese. Lucky for us she has grown into a more adventurous eater, she came home from college orientation the other day and proclaimed, "I am never eating in the cafeteria again"! I had to laugh; did I do my job too well?

Serves 10.

Enjoy,

Gina