Whole Wheat Penne Pasta Salad with Smoked Salmon, Tomatoes and Asparagus

Isn't that a lovely presentation?  This pasta salad was great as a weeknight dinner, but I can also envision it on a brunch buffet, a bridal or baby shower dish or a nice take to work lunch.  The flavors are great together plus you get the added bonus of whole wheat pasta and veggies!  In my opinion, it's better if made the day before to let the flavors blend.  

Ingredients for dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup Greek vanilla flavored yogurt

1/3 cup finely grated red onion

1 T. finely chopped fresh dill

1 T. prepared horseradish

1/2 T. garlic powder

1/2 lime, juiced

1 T. powdered sugar (if, after tasting, you think it needs a little sweetness)

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all the above listed ingredients and set aside.

1 box of whole wheat penne pasta, cooked al dente and drained

1 bunch of asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces, blanched and drained

2 cups of cherry tomatoes, cut in half

4 green onions, thinly sliced

8 – 12 ounces of smoked salmon broken into bite sized chunks

Mix together the pasta, asparagus, tomatoes and green onions.  Gently stir in the dressing.

Then gently mix in the chunks of smoked salmon.  You want to leave bite sized pieces.

Garnish with a little more dill and a few more of the sliced tomatoes.