Pasta and Smoked Sausage Picnic Salad

Dancer^'s Note:

Perfect as a picnic side dish or a light meal.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 6 to 8 se ...

• 14 ounces smoked cooked sausage

Vinaigrette Dressing

• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and mashed

The Salad

• 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta, 2 1/4 cups
• 1 cup frozen green pea, thawed
• 1 cup finely chopped green onion, with green tops
• 2 large medium red ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced carrot, 1 medium carrot
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, julienned
• additional fresh basil (to garnish)

Directions:

1. Bring pan with 2 to 3 inches of water to a boil.
2. Turn heat off and add sausage.
3. Immediately cover pan and let sausage stand 15 minutes.
4. Remove sausage to a plate and let cool in the refrigerator.
5. Meanwhile, prepare vinaigrette dressing by mixing dry mustard, salt, pepper, garlic and vinegar together in a small bowl.
6. Slowly whip in olive oil to form an emulsion.
7. Cook pasta according to package directions.
8. Drain.
9. Place in large bowl and toss with 1/4 cup vinaigrette dressing.
10. When cool, slice sausage into thin 1/4-inch slices.
11. Remove garlic clove from vinaigrette dressing.
12. Add sausage, peas, onion, tomatoes, carrots, 1/4 cup basil and remaining vinaigrette to the pasta.
13. Sprinkle top with cheese. Garnish with fresh basil.

Reviews

[berry271]

This was alright, but not super flavorful and I didn't find the texture of the cold sausage appealing.