Pasta Salad with Olive Pistou

Last week I shared with you the Swiss Chard Omelet from Cuisine Nicoise; the new cookbook from Hillary Davis. This week I want to share with you another great recipe from the book, Pasta Salad with Olive Pistou.

A pesto made from olives and basil adorns pasta and artichokes in this tasty salad. Serve cold as an accompaniment to grilled chicken or warm as a vegetarian entree...either way woks.

Be sure to check out Cuisine Nicoise for more delicious Mediterranean inspired recipes. Want to win your own copy of this wonderful cookbook?  (see below for details)

Pasta Salad With Olive Pistou
(printable recipe)

Olive Pistou
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup tightly packed basil leaves, plus 8 for garnish
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1/4 cup pitted oil-cured black olives (I used green)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta Salad
10 ounces pasta (e.g., penne, rigatoni, shells, or corkscrews)
1 store-bought rotisserie chicken, meat pulled off in small pieces
1 jar marinated artichokes, drained

To the bowl of a food processor, add the oil, basil, garlic, olives, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Process to a smooth consistency.

Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and immediately toss with the black olive Pistou, half of the pieces of chicken, and artichokes. Divide among four plates. Add the rest of the chicken on top if you would like big servings, or save to make sandwiches the next day. Slice the 8 basil leaves thinly and garnish each plate before serving. This salad can be refrigerated and served cold as well.

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