Pasta Salad with Sausage & Peppers

Ingredients

• 1 lb pasta of your choice
• 6 tbls extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for drizzle if desired)
• 3 tbls lemon juice
• 1 tbls tomato paste
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 large shallot sliced and seperated
• 1 tsp chopped thyme
• 1 lb. Sunset Farm Foods Smoked Sausage cut into coins
• 1/4 c. diced yellow peppers
• 1/4 c. diced red peppers
• 2 stalks celery, thin sliced
• 1/2 c. diced fresh mozzarella
• 1/4 c. basil paste

Instructions

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Make sure to reserve 1/3 cup of water when draining. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Sear sausage and peppers to desired brownness (we prefer for the peppers to still maintain a crunch to them).
• In a medium bowl mix the lemon juice, olive oil, tomato paste, minced garlic, shallot, basil paste and thyme. Mix well and add in the reserved pasta water.
• Combine the pasta, dressing, sausage, peppers, and celery. Toss until coated well. This can be served room temperature or cold, which ever is preferred.