Pesto Pasta Salad

 Yesterday I took 

Pesto Pasta Salad

to a birthday luncheon.

The original recipe is from my friend 

Steph (Stuph From Steph)

So many asked for the recipe

that I wanted to share it here.

Stephanie makes pretty food.

This is her version

decorated out with 

designer cellophane on a tray.

Happy Birthday Michaelanne!

My version was a little more casual

in a bowl

but the taste was just as excellent :)

Such an easy recipe that I especially like because it 

can be made the day before.

Steph's Recipe:

Pesto Pasta Salad

what you need:

•1 pound rotini pasta

•1/2 costco-size jar of basil pesto

(or 1 grocery store-size tub)

•1/2 cup craisins

•1/2 cup pine nuts

•1/2 cup shredded parmesan 

(not the powdery kind)

•1 costco-size container spring greens/spinach mix 

(or 2 grocery store-size bags)

•girard's champagne dressing

•rotisserie chicken (optional)

what you need to do the day before:

•cook the pasta in boiling, salted water according to package directions 

•drain and rinse in cold water 

•stir in pesto 

•add craisins, pine nuts, and parmesan 

•refrigerate overnight

what you need to do to serve:

•in a large bowl, mix greens with a little champagne dressing 

•don't drown them

•arrange greens on a large platter

(really, you need a large platter for this!)

•top with chilled pesto pasta

•optional: top with a few nice slices of rotisserie chicken

pro: looks impressive; tastes fantastic; nothing (seriously, nothing, unless you use chicken) to chop

con: after the greens are dressed, you can't really save the leftovers