Asian Pasta Salad - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package pasta
2 cups broccoli florets
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 cup snow peas
1 cup Asian-style salad dressing
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root (optional)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (optional)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds

Preparation

Blanch broccoli in rapidly boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the water. Blanch snow peas for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from water.
Cook one pound of pasta in a large pan of boiling water until al dente. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl.
Toss pasta with salad dressing. Toss with broccoli, red pepper, red onion, and snow peas, ginger, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. When serving, sprinkle with sesame oil and sesame seeds.