Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

450g/1lb penne
100g/4oz fresh basil leaves
2 garlic cloves, crushed
50g/2oz Parmesan cheese,freshly grated
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
75ml/3fl oz olive oil
250g/9oz cherry tomatoes,halved
1 small red onion, sliced into thin wedges
150g/5oz pitted black olives

Preparation:

• Cook the pasta in lightly salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, retaining a very little of the cooking water to keep moist. Set aside to cool while you make the pesto.
• Blend or process the basil, garlic, Parmesan and pine nuts until roughly chopped. With the motor running, add the oil in a thin stream until well combined.
• Put the pasta in a large bowl, stir in the pesto and mix well. Add the
tomatoes, onion and olives. Stir gently. Chill for 1 hour, then serve.