Jarah's Pasta Salad

Good Morning everyone. This morning while at the grocery story, my son was drooling over the penne pasta salad.  I don't particularly like preservatives and additives, so I promised we would make it at home.  Here is our super duper secret recipe.

What a terrific way to connect with your children: cooking together, allowing them to mix, measure and talking about life in general. So much better than brain rot (AKA - video games!)

Jarah as was my sous-chef this morning.  Here is what we made:

Whole Wheat Penne Pasta Salad

2 Cups cooked penne pasta

1 Cup fresh baby spinach coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic through the press

1/4 C fresh flat leaf parsley finely chopped
1/2 C fresh mozzarella balls, cut into 1/4s.
1 plum tomato - ripe, deseeded and chopped 
2 Tbsp roasted pepper finely chopped

Dressing:
1 1/2 tsp dried minced onion
1 teaspoon Herbes Provencal
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon taragon
salt & pepper to taste
1 1/2 Tbsp Champagne vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp brown sugar
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Sautee spinach and garlic in a sautee pan with a little olive oil until wilted. Make the dressing.  Mix in the spinach/garlic mixture.  Next add the pasta, tomato, peppers and cheese.  Mix well.  Place in fridge for a minimum of 2 hours to allow flavors to develop.  

Enjoy!

The Three Musketeers.  From L to R: Jarah, Collin and Mustafa