Pasta Seafood Salad

Ingredients

• 1 lb medium raw shrimp, shelled and deveined
• 1 lb bay scallop, rinsed
• 1/2 lb small shell pasta (or another interesting shape such as twists)
• 1 cup frozen tiny peas, thawed
• 1/2 cup diced sweet red pepper
• 1/2 cup purple onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 cup fresh basil leaf
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup Greek olive

Directions

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, drop in the shrimp and scallops, cook for one minute, and drain immediately.

2. 2

   Bring another large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta as directed on the package, until tender but not mushy. Drain.

3. 3

   Toss the cooked pasta and seafood in a large bowl (make sure they are both well drained).

4. 4

   Add the peas (no need to cook them), red pepper, and onion, and toss.

5. 5

   Place dressing ingredients (olive oil, basil leaves, lemon juice, salt, and pepper) in a food processor bowl fitted with a metal blade. Process until basil is very fine. Pour over the pasta/seafood mixture and mix well. Taste and add salt, pepper, and/or lemon juice as necessary.

6. 6

   Place the salad in a serving bowl or mound it on a platter. Scatter with greek olives.

7. 7

   Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate. Salad tastes better when at room temperature, so if refrigerating until later, be sure to take it out of the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.