Healthy Party Foods (Pesto Pasta Salad & Sun Dried Tomato Dip)

The celebration was for Mom's 90th birthday. The buffet and dessert tables had good food for young and old.  The daughters all brought food.  Here are recipes for my contributions:

Warm Sun-Dried Tomato & Feta Dip

(2 cups)

1 cup garbanzo beans, cooked without salt
1 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)
1/2 cup feta
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
2 cups tomato sauce, no added salt
1 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

In a food processor, puree tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and garbanzo beans until smooth.  Add basil and sun dried tomato and pulse until broken but still visible.  Add 1/3 cup of feta and 1/2 cup of mozzarella (reserving the remaining cheese for later).  Pulse once more to combine.  Transfer mixture to oven proof baking dishes.  (I brought my crock-pot to the party).  Top with remaining cheese.  Bake until hot and bubbly.  Recipe inspired by Vegetables Accidentally.

Pesto Pasta Salad

(8 servings)

Combine all of the pesto ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.
Pesto
2 cups spinach
1 cup basil
1/4 cup walnut oil
1/2 cup toasted almonds
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup reserved pasta water

Cook pasta as per package directions.
1 pound whole wheat penne pasta
Drain pasta and add pesto.  Mix thoroughly.

Mix in vegetables.
1 medium zucchini, quartered and sliced thinly
1 medium yellow squash, quartered and sliced thinly
8 mini colorful sweet peppers, seeded and sliced in rings
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

We had cake and coffee, but most importantly-great people to share and celebrate a good life.