Tortellini Salad

Photo by Stephanie Knewasser

From the kitchen of Renee Wilson

Cook according to package directions:

20 oz pckg cheese tortellini

Drain.

Rinse with cold water.

Set aside.

Season with salt & pepper:

1 red sweet pepper, cored, thinly sliced (about 1 c)

1 red onion, peeled, thinly cut (about 3/4 c)

1 small bunch asparagus, cut in 1 1/2″ pieces (about 1/2 lb)

Toss with:

1 Tbsp basting oil

Transfer to baking sheet, arrange in single layer.

Roast 5-6 minutes. Turn.

Roast 5-6 minutes more.

Set aside.

Season with salt & pepper:

1 zucchini, diced into 1/4″ pieces (about 2 c)

Toss with:

1 Tbsp basting oil

Transfer to baking sheet, arrange in single layer.

Roast 5-7 minutes until tender, but not brown.

Add to pepper mix.

Chill 1 hour.

In a small pan, on med. heat, toast:

3 Tbsp pine nuts

Stir until they are slightly toasted.

Watch carefully!

Set aside.

Add to tortellini mixture:

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

7 oz pckg basil pesto sauce

1/2 tsp tabasco sauce

15 basil leaves, finely sliced

Add:

toasted pine nuts

veggie mixture

Season with salt & pepper.

Serve chilled.

NOTE

This is a great accompaniment to meat, and is hearty enough to be a vegetarian entree. I skipped the asparagus in the photo above.

Recipe from Wegmans.