More kitchen adventures

I cut my thumb pretty bad the other day you guys. I'm always so careful when using my big chef's knife to chop veggies, but of course I let my guard down while hastily slicing a lemon with a small serrated knife. I felt really stupid. And bloody. So much blood. I'm not very squeamish so I'm pretty sure it was the endorphins that made me feel all faint, forcing me to sit on the kitchen floor and recuperate. So anyway, it was painful and the healing process is annoying but it was almost worth it because it was in pursuit of...

The best pasta salad ever!

BAM! How's that for a segue? Quit thinking about my bloody thumb now! I skipped the lemon juice due to post traumatic stress, but here's what I did put in it.

-Half a bag of rotini (cooked and drained - I didn't have whole wheat but I like to use that whenever possible)
-1 tablespoon dijon mustard (dijonnaise if you have it. I used this stuff which I've been putting on sandwiches and in everything else. Bake some chicken with it! It's sooo good)
-A squeeze of mayo (that's if you didn't use a dijon/mayo hybrid and also it's totally optional if mayo freaks you out)
- 2 tablespoons pesto
-Enough balsamic vinaigrette to make things a little saucy

While that cools, throw the following items in a saute pan with a pinch of salt and some pepper:
-Baby bella mushrooms (chopped)
-Baby spinach
-2 or so cloves of garlic

Add veggie mixture to pasta then toss in some:
-Diced raw zuchinni (gives it some crunch - it's great)
-Finely chopped raw red onion
-Feta
-Freshly grated parmesan
-Some lemon zest
-Red pepper flakes
-Capers if you have them

I didn't have these following items but would definitely recommend them as well:
-Roasted red peppers
-Toasted pine nuts
-Artichokes

The great thing about pasta salad is that you can throw in whatever you want! Definitely chill it for a few hours (I fridged mine overnight) then add in some protein if desired. I baked a chicken breast with lemon pepper and served it warm on top of the cold pasta salad. It'd also be great with shrimp!