Rotini Salad with Kalamata Olive Dressing

By charlotteh371

Ingredients

• 1 red bell pepper
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper
• 6 ounces uncooked rotini (corkscrew pasta)
• 1/4 pound haricots verts, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 cups quartered cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup sliced fresh basil
• 1 1/2 ounces diced fresh mozzarella
• 4 pitted kalamata olives, sliced
• 1 ounce prosciutto, chopped
• Cooking spray
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
• 1 large shallot, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 1/2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat broiler.

Cut red bell pepper in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place red and yellow pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 10 minutes. Peel and dice; place in a large bowl.

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Add haricots verts to pasta during last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain. Add pasta mixture, tomatoes, and next 4 ingredients (through prosciutto) to peppers; toss well.

Heat a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add garlic and shallot to pan. Cook 15 minutes or until soft, stirring occasionally. Place the garlic mixture, vinegar, and remaining ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Pour dressing over pasta mixture; toss well.