Italian Pasta Al Pesto Salad

Ingredients

Dressing

• 1 cup basil

• 1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted

• 2 teaspoons minced garlic or 3 large cloves

• 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (authentic Parmesan) grated

• 1/4 cup virgin olive oil

• 1/4 cup half and half

Salad

• 1/2 pound small dried pasta (Orzo, Orecchiette, Farfalle or comparable)

• 2 shallots, peeled, cored, halved and thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup fennel, thinly slices (you may substitute with celery if necessary)

• 1/2 pint Cherry Tomatoes, ripe and quartered

• Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

• 4 pieces Prosciutto Ham, very thin slices, trimmed of fat and rolled into rosettes

• 8 pieces Genoa Salami, halved and very thinly sliced

• 4 piece Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese, wide shavings (use a vegetable peeler)

• 4 sprigs basil

• 1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted