Recipe: Apricot Pasta Salad

Apricot Pasta Salad

4 oz fusilli (corkscrew) pasta
6 fresh apricots (3/4 LB), cut into quarters
1 whole chicken breast, cooked and shredded
2 small zucchini (1/2 LB), julienned 1 red bell pepper, julienned
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil or 2 tsp dried
Apricot Basil Dressing (recipe follows)

Cook pasta as package directs; drain and let cool.

Combine pasta, apricots, chicken, zucchini, red pepper, and basil in bowl.

Toss with dressing.

Makes 4 servings

APRICOT BASIL DRESSING

Combine 2 fresh, ripe apricots (pitted), 2 tbsp white wine vinegar and 1 tbsp sugar in blender; whirl until blended.

With blender running, slowly add 1/4 cup vegetable oil until thick and smooth.

Stir in 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp dried basil.
Makes 1 cup

Nutrition information per serving: 270 calories, 11 g protein, 27 g carbohydrates, 19 mg sodium, 15 g fat, 18 mg cholesterol, 3 g dietary fiber, 2305 IU vitamin A, 568 mg potassium.