Florentine Pasta Salad

Description
Easy pasta salad. Linguine, spinach, and mushroom salad with a sun-dried tomato-pesto dressing, garnished with pine nuts.
 * Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2Sam and Tiny at World Recipes Y-Group
 * 4 Servings
 * 40 minutes 25 minutes Prep

Sun-dried tomatoe-pesto dressing

 * ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (not packed in oil)
 * ⅓ cup water
 * ½ garlic clove, chopped
 * 1 tablespoon red onions, chopped (¼ small onion)
 * ½ (7 ounce) package pesto sauce
 * 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Pasta salad

 * 2 ounces dry linguine or fettuccine pasta or spaghetti
 * ¼ cup fresh mushrooms, sliced (.6 ounces)
 * 1 cup fresh spinach, shredded
 * 2 tablespoons pine nuts or slivered almonds, toasted

Directions

 * 1) Place sun dried tomatoes in glass bowl with ⅓ cup water, and microwave uncovered on high for 2 minutes.
 * 2) Set aside until they have absorbed the water and cooled (20 minutes).
 * 3) Cooke pasta according to package directions for al dente pasta (8 – 10minutes); drain.
 * 4) Rinse with cold water, and drain again.
 * 5) In a skillet or wok, over high heat, sauté mushrooms.
 * 6) Blend garlic, onions, cooled tomatoes, and pesto sauce.
 * 7) In a large mixing bowl, combine pesto mixture and lemon juice.
 * 8) Add pasta; toss to coat.
 * 9) Add spinach and mushrooms; mix well.
 * 10) Sprinkle with nuts; serve immediately.