Summer Picnic Pasta Salad

This delicious sweet and tangy pasta salad is just bursting with color. It's made with very little mayo, which makes it good for outdoor gatherings. Feel free to substitute 1 cup of any vegetable that you prefer (mushrooms, cucumbers, zucchini, or tomatoes all work well too)

• 1 lb tri-colored pasta (I've used shells or spiral shaped)
• 1 cup chopped broccoli
• 1 cup chopped red pepper
• 1 cup asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
• ¹⁄₄ cup pitted and chopped kalamata olive
• ¹⁄₄ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¹⁄₂ cup cubed marinated mozzarella cheese (optional)

• Dressing

• ¹⁄₄ cup yellow mustard
• ¹⁄₄ cup white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• ³⁄₄ cup sugar
• ³⁄₄ cup vegetable oil or ³⁄₄ cup canola oil
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. Blanch broccoli and asparagus in boiling salted water, and plunge into ice bath to stop cooking.
2. Cook pasta until al dente.
3. Rinse with cold water and drain.
4. Toss pasta with chopped vegetables.
5. Mix first 5 ingredients of dressing, and slowly whisk in oil.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Toss dressing with pasta and vegetables.
8. Chill until ready to serve.

Enjoy.
The Old Guy