Pasta Salad with Red Pepper Pesto

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup

fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup

freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup

pimentos ((a.k.a. roasted red peppers), with juice)

1/3 cup

raw almonds

1/4 cup

olive oil

2 cloves

garlic (crushed or minced)

1/4 tsp

salt

pepper (to taste)

2 1/4 cups

whole-wheat orzo pasta ((dry) cooked according to package directions and cooled)

2 cups

sliced fresh spinach leaves

8 oz

cherry tomatoes (sliced in half)