Summer In a Bowl Pasta Salad

I know I have not been the best at posting in last week or so but this is the time of the year that we have a lot going on.  For instance last week I was in Cedar Rapids Iowa on business, then this week I had to go to Santa Barbara. In addition to I have offered to give my BFF, Dana a sit down bridal shower for 35 of her nearest and dearest friends. So with all of that on my plate I figured that i would look in to my recipes that I had previously developed and share a great one that I really love. Then next week when things calm down I will be sharing great ideas for your next luncheon or brunch you throw.

So now on to the recipes my dear friend Patty, who is a Mom,  helped me name this recipe. Patty has a little boy who has terrible food allergies just like me. However, he is allergic to a couple more items than me. Such as eggs and peanuts and goes into Anaphylactic shock  so I have to be very careful! So when W and his Mom come over for a play date with my daughter Miss J. I have to make sure we do not poison her son. So it was a Tuesday afternoon and we had scheduled a play date and it happened to be only 107 degrees that day. Just a little hot so I wanted something cool and refreshing that I could make and everyone could eat. So I created Summer in Bowl.


Ingredients:

Summer In a Bowl:

1 Bag Brown Rice Pasta from Trader Joes -does not have Eggs in this pasta very rare!
1 ½ of 1 Orange Bell Pepper, Julienne (thin strips)
1 head of broccoli cut in small pieces about 1 1/2  cups cooked partially
1 whole cucumber peeled and chopped into squares
1 whole Large Tomato

Summer in a Bowl Dressing:

3 Tablespoon Brown Gulden's Mustard
1/4 cup Aged Balsamic Vinegar
2 Large cloves of garlic grated on planer to make paste
½ cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar


Directions:
Boil Pasta as directed on pasta about 12 minutes. In a large bowl place julienne the bell peppers and broccoli, cucumbers , tomatoes. Next add cooked & drained pasta. While pasta is cooking make the dressing in a separate bowl., Combine all ingredients in bowl except Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and whisk together. Next Emulsify by adding olive oil in slowly while whisking. Poor on top and toss refrigerate for 2 hours tossing periodically so pasta can soak up dressing
 
TIP of the Day: If your looking for something to put in your child's lunch that is healthy this would be great with a sandwich or without!