Tomato Feta Pasta Salad

This is a great summer salad, especially when you can get beautiful ripened summer tomatoes.  The sun dried tomatoes add so much to the dressing and salad along with with the saltiness of the feta and kalamata olives.  I know just writing this, I want want to sit back, relax and enjoy this salad with a nice glass of wine.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound fusilli (spirals) pasta
• Kosher salt
• Good olive oil
• 1 pound ripe tomatoes, medium-diced
• 3/4 cup good black olives, such as kalamata, pitted and diced
• 1 pound good feta cheese, medium-diced
• 6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

For the dressing:

• 5 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 6 tablespoons good olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, diced
• 1 teaspoon capers, drained
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup packed flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup torn fresh basil

Instructions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water with a splash of oil to keep it from sticking together. Boil for 12 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Drain well and allow to cool. Place the pasta in a bowl and add the tomatoes, olives, feta and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

For the dressing, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers, salt and pepper in a food processor until almost smooth.

Pour the dressing over the pasta, sprinkle with the Parmesan and parsley, and toss well.

Source:  Ina Garten
Video:  Here