Recipe: Pasta Chopped Salad (using ham, Swiss cheese and olives, no mayo)

PASTA CHOPPED SALAD

1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 pound small shells or other small pasta, uncooked
4 ounces cooked turkey ham, diced into 1/4-inch cubes
1/2 cup diced Swiss cheese, diced into 1/4-inch cubes
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup diced pitted black olives
Salt and freshly ground pepper

In a small bowl, whisk the mustard, olive oil, and vinegar until blended. Set aside.

In the meantime, prepare pasta according to package directions; drain.

Add dressing to the pasta and toss. Doing it warm this way will help the pasta become more flavorful with less refrigeration. Place the pasta mixture, turkey ham, cheese, celery, green onions, red onion, and olives in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Refrigerate for 2 hours, then serve. (Note: you can serve it without the long chilling time.)

Makes 6-8 servings

Per serving: 305 Calories; 8g Fat 13g Protein; 46g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 14mg Cholesterol; 309mg Sodium.

Exchanges: 3 Grain (starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

Source: Saving Dinner Basics by Leanne Ely