Pasta Salad with Cashew Dressing

Ingredients

Dressing
• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 1/4 cup unhulled sesame seeds
• 2 medium-large carrots, chopped
• 1/3 cup rice wine (sake)
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• Thumb size piece of ginger, grated
• 1/2 tsp granulated garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp granulated onion powder
• Salt and pepper
Salad
• 12 oz wholewheat pasta, cooked
• 1/2 cup green (or black) olives, halved
• 1/4 cup pepitas (or sunflower seeds)
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions (optional)
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced raw asparagus (optional)

Instructions

1. In a blender, puree all dressing ingredients.
2. Toss dressing with all salad ingredients.
3. If dressing is too dense, add a little extra sake or vinegar, or a little chicken broth. For a creamier dressing, add ripe avocado or Greek yogurt when blending.
4. The dressing is great on a green salad also.