Favorite Summertime Recipe: Pasta Salad with Smoked Mozzarella, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Olives

This is one of my favorite pasta salads. The sun-dried tomatoes add a little bit of sweet flavor to the smokiness of the cheese and the tart vinaigrette dressing.  It just contains all of my favorite things - olives, cheeses - smoked and parmesan, basil and capers. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 3 T. olive oil
• 1/2 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/8 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 T. drained capers
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 lb. fusilli pasta
• 12 oz. tomatoes, coarsely chopped
• 8 oz. smoked mozzarella or smoked provolone cheese, cut in 1/2 inch pieces
• 1-1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved

Directions

1. Blend first 5 ingredients in processor until tomatoes are coarsely chopped. More oil can be added as needed for taste and consistency, but I like to start with less. Set dressing aside.
2. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water. Drain. Transfer to large bowl. 
3.  Add dressing to hot pasta; toss to coat. Cool, stirring occasionally. 
4. Add chopped fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, Parmesan and olives; toss. 
5. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover; chill. Serve at room temperature.