Pasta Vegetable Salad (Vegan)

Vegan Pasta Vegetable Salad

ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 2 clove garlic, minced
• juice of 1 large lemon
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 generous pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 lb fusilli pasta, cooked
• 1 large bunch broccoli, florets only, steamed lightly and shocked in ice water bath
• 2 red bell peppers, roasted, skins and seeds removed and sliced
• 1 bunch scallions, white and green parts,chopped
• 2-3 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 can black olives, sliced
• 1 container grape tomatoes, sliced in halves
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeds removed and chopped
• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed

preparation steps:

1. place first seven ingredients in the bottom of a large bowl and whisk together

2. add the rest of ingredients and toss together

3. serve cold

*hint #1: leftover broccoli stalks, run through the shredder blade in your food processor, make a great base for coleslaw-i like them mixed with shredded carrot  with a vegenaise and cider vinegar dressing

*hint #2: toss in some vegan Mayo to change things up