Spicy Asian-Style Pasta Salad

[kirra]

Spicy Asian-Style Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1 pound linguine, broken in half
4 tbs. Oriental sesame oil
3 tbs honey
3 tbs soy sauce
3 tbs balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3 red bell peppers, seeded, thinly sliced
3 cups snow pea pods
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
3/4 cup honey-roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Preparation:

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Rinse and drain very well. Transfer to large bowl.

Whisk 3 tbs. sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and cayenne pepper in small bowl to blend. Season with salt. Mix half of dressing into pasta.

Heat remaining 1 tbs. Oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, snow peas, and onion and sauté until just beginning to wilt, about 2 minutes. Add vegetables to pasta. Mix in peanuts, basil, and enough dressing to coat. Serve, passing any remaining dressing separately. Yield: 8 servings.