#Pasta is one of my favorite comfort foods. So I've put together this recipe as a summer salad. I make the pesto in the food processor and it takes no time to assemble this rich tasting salad. As with most pasta dishes it is at its best the very moment it is tossed.#
Cook the pasta of your choice al dente in salted boiling water. While the pasta is cooking, whip up the pesto. Chop the garlic and salt in processor.
Add all of parsley and mince. Then add all the rest of ingredients up to oil. With machine running, gradually pour oil through feed tube in a steady stream.
Making the pesto by hand Is just as easy but time consuming. Drain pasta and save some of the cooking liquid. Pour all of dressing over pasta.
Add chopped onion, olives, currants, pine nuts, and peas. Season with freshly ground pepper. Add some of the reserved cooking liquid if necessary.
Garnish with parsley sprigs and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle your best olive oil all over the pasta salad.