The Perfect Pasta Salad - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb barilla rotini pasta
3 garlic cloves
18 ounces cherry tomatoes (yellow and red)
1/2 cucumber
1 (2 1/4 ounce) can sliced black olives
2 tablespoons fresh chives
1 bunch fresh basil
7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons white wine vinegar
sea salt & fresh black pepper (to taste)

Preparation

Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil.
Add the pasta and garlic, and simmer for about 5-7 minutes or until the pasta is al dente, and drain.
Put the garlic to one side for the dressing.
Put the pasta in a bowl.
Cut the tomatoes, cucumber, into small pieces about a quarter the size of the pasta.
Roughly chop the basil and chives.
Place the tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, basil, and chives in the bowl with the pasta.
Using a fork mash the cooked garlic on a cutting board with a little salt, add to the pasta.
Add the oil, vinegar and seasoning.