• 4 ounces fully cooked ham, cut into thin bite-size strips
• 1 cup broken pecans, toasted
• ½ to ¾ cup crumbled blue cheese (2 to 3 ounces)
• ⅓ cup snipped parsley
• ¼ cup olive oil or salad oil
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• 8 ounces packaged dried bow ties (3½ cups)
• Lettuce leaves (optional)

1. In a very large mixing bowl combine ham, pecans, blue cheese, parsley, oil, rosemary, garlic, and pepper. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water. Drain again.
3. Add pasta to the ham mixture; toss to mix.
4. If desired, line individual salad plates with lettuce. Divide the pasta mixture among the lettuce-lined plates.

Makes 5 main-dish servings.