Cilantro Pesto Pasta Salad

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups	Central Market Organic Whole Wheat Penne Pasta
1 Tablespoon	Hill Country Fare Canola Oil
1 package (16 oz)	HEB Ready Fresh Go Fajita Vegetables or HEB Frozen Fajita Blend
2	HEB Ready Fresh Go Garlic Cloves, thin sliced

Cilantro Pesto Dressing:
	Juice of 1 large Lime (1/4 cup)
2 teaspoons	Hill Country Fare Louisiana Hot Sauce
¼ cup	chopped Cilantro
½ cup	shredded HEB Cotija Cheese
¼ cup	Hill Country Fair Pecans

Directions

1. Prepare the Central Market Organic Whole Wheat pasta according to package directions, drain and place into a large pasta bowl and set aside.

2. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over high heat for 3 minutes.  Add the canola oil and the fajita blend vegetables and stir-fry for 3 to 5 minutes or until the onion gets crusty brown on edges.  Spoon the stir fried fajita vegetables into the pasta and toss to coat the pasta with the oil from the vegetables and set aside.

3. Combine the lime juice, hot sauce, cilantro, shredded cheese and pecans in a food processor or blender and process for 30 seconds or until the mixture gets chunky.  Add the dressing to the pasta mixture and toss to combine.  Season the pasta salad to taste with salt and fresh cracked pepper.   Serve the salad warm.

Makes:  8 servings

Meal Tip: You can add 2 thin sliced HEB Fully Fit Chicken Breasts to this salad and make a complete dinner for the family.  

Shrimp Version:  Stir-fry 1 pound peeled HILL COUNTRY FARE EASY PEEL SHRIMP to the fajita vegetables and stir-fry an additional 2 minutes.