Vegetable Pasta with Lemon-Basil Dressing

I love this meal. Fast, fresh, simple, full of flavor and really healthy.

Lemon-Basil Dressing

• juice and zest of 1 or 2 lemons, depending on how strong you want the lemon flavor
• 2+ cloves garlic
• fist full of fresh basil
• 1/3c Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt to taste
• 1/4tsp crushed red pepper, optional if you want a little heat

Combine all ingredients in mini food processor and pulse until well combined.

Vegetable Pasta with Lemon-Basil Dressing

• 1c broccoli chopped
• 1 can black beans
• 3/4 to 1c cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 pound pasta of choice
• 1 recipe lemon - basil dressing
• 1/2 to 1c Lima beans
• 2+ cloves garlic
• Parmesan
• Lemon - Basil Dressing

Cook pasta according to package instructions. I like to season the water with salt first, bring it to a rolling boil, and then drop in the pasta. When the pasta is ready place it in a large serving bowl or platter. Pour the lemon - basil dressing over the pasta and gently fold the pasta to coat with the dressing. I like to use tongs so I can pick up the pasta and fold it over, it seems to be the best tool for mixing the pasta. Next pour all the veggies in the bowl and toss them with the pasta. Before serving top with Parmesan.