Missing My Bike

I'm really missing my bike today. He's strapped to his wind trainer; quiet but I doubt calm. He keeps looking over at me with this angry stare, wondering when his tires will see dirt again.

It's not as though I haven't taken him out lately. He's been to Joyride hangin' with his buds, but he tells me it's not quite the same. So in honour of my Giant Anthem, I am re-posting from the days when he and I were out frolicking in the forest. Good times. And they'll come around again.

Snakes and Ladders Pasta Salad

photo by susancvineyard on flickr

I just came back from an awesome ride in the forest. Two hours of climbs and fast descents but now I'm starving and it's too late at night to eat anything. So hungry!

It must have been a great ride because I'm craving a carb-filler like pasta. So here's a recipe that is extra yummy. It's got lots of flavours and colours that'll keep your taste-buds intrigued; including a grilled head of radicchio. You heard me! Grilled! It's awesome. Throw in some baby bocconcini with fresh basil and grilled sausage -- you can't deny that this is a winner.

So I've named it after one of the trails I just came from that also keeps the senses stimulated. Enjoy the ride!

Snakes and Ladders Pasta Salad

3 cups whole wheat penne; cooked and drained
1 clove garlic; minced
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp pepper
4 mild Italian sausage
1 each of red, yellow and orange peppers; sliced
1 head radicchio lettuce
1 container of mini bocconcini cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

In bowl, whisk garlic, salt, oil, vinegar and pepper. Set aside.

Place peppers in a grilling basket for the BBQ. At the same time, place sausages on barbecue. Cook peppers until tender and charred and sausages run clear.

Cut sausages into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Toss peppers into dressing you had set aside earlier.

Cut head of radicchio lettuce in half, remove core and place on grill. Turn often until leaves are tender and slightly charred. About 5 minutes. Remove from grill and slice. Add this to the dressing and peppers.

Toss peppers, radicchio, pasta, sausage, bocconcini and basil together.