Pasta-asparagus Salad

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 8 ounces penne
• 3 cups asparagus, diagonally cut into 3 inch-long pieces
• 1/3 cup cottage cheese
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons minced onions
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• 2 carrots, coarsely shredded
• 1 sprig fresh basil or 1 sprig flat leaf parsley

Recipe

• 1 boil penne until al dente.
• 2 while the penne is cooking, put the asparagus into a medium microwave-proof dish; add about 1/4 cup water.
• 3 cover and microwave on high for about 4 minutes, or until crisp-tender (or cook the asparagus for about 4 minutes in a stovetop steamer).
• 4 drain and rinse well in cold water, then drain again.
• 5 to prepare the dressing: process the cottage cheese, yogurt, oil, onion, garlic, lemon juice, and mustard in a blender until smooth and creamy.
• 6 stir in the remaining ingredients.
• 7 taste and adjust the seasoning.
• 8 when the pasta is done, drain and rinse well in cold water, then drain again.
• 9 transfer the pasta to a large bowl; add the asparagus and the remaining salad ingredients; toss.
• 10 add the dressing and toss again.
• 11 taste and adjust the seasoning.