This salad was so good and just one of those fresh tasting, hit the spot meals. My husband raved about it and that's pretty impressive when you're serving salad for dinner! The cheese tortellini was perfect with the crisp asparagus and tomatoes and I loved the lightness of the dressing and the fresh basil . This is one of those dishes that you've got to use fresh herbs. It just wouldn't be the same without. I served mine as a main dish but it would be great alongside some grilled chicken or fish. The recipe called for fresh tortellini but I used frozen and it turned out great.
Tortellini Salad with Asparagus and Fresh Basil Vinaigrette
Cook's Country
Serves 8 to 10
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 shallot , minced
1 clove garlic , minced
1 pound asparagus , tough ends trimmed and sliced thin on the bias
2 (9-ounce) packages fresh cheese tortellini (I used frozen with great results)
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 pint grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 ounce Parmesan cheese , grated (1/2 cup)
1. Whisk the olive oil, basil, lemon juice, shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a bowl large enough to hold the pasta salad.
2. Cook the asparagus in 4 quarts boiling water seasoned with 1 tablespoon salt until tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer the asparagus to a colander using a slotted spoon (do not discard the boiling water) and run under cold water until cool. Shake out any excess water and toss with the vinaigrette.
3. Return the water to a boil, add the tortellini, and cook until tender, following the package instructions. Drain the tortellini thoroughly, then toss while hot with the asparagus and dressing. Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
4. Toast the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Just before serving, stir the toasted pine nuts, tomatoes, and Parmesan into the salad and season with salt and pepper.
To Make Ahead
The salad can be prepared, covered, and refrigerated a day in advance. Before serving, freshen the salad with a spoonful of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Posted by: Sallie
Tortellini Salad with Asparagus and Fresh Basil Vinaigrette
Cook's Country
Serves 8 to 10
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 shallot , minced
1 clove garlic , minced
1 pound asparagus , tough ends trimmed and sliced thin on the bias
2 (9-ounce) packages fresh cheese tortellini (I used frozen with great results)
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 pint grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 ounce Parmesan cheese , grated (1/2 cup)
1. Whisk the olive oil, basil, lemon juice, shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a bowl large enough to hold the pasta salad.
2. Cook the asparagus in 4 quarts boiling water seasoned with 1 tablespoon salt until tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer the asparagus to a colander using a slotted spoon (do not discard the boiling water) and run under cold water until cool. Shake out any excess water and toss with the vinaigrette.
3. Return the water to a boil, add the tortellini, and cook until tender, following the package instructions. Drain the tortellini thoroughly, then toss while hot with the asparagus and dressing. Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
4. Toast the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Just before serving, stir the toasted pine nuts, tomatoes, and Parmesan into the salad and season with salt and pepper.
To Make Ahead
The salad can be prepared, covered, and refrigerated a day in advance. Before serving, freshen the salad with a spoonful of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Posted by: Sallie
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5 comments:
Very tasty! Great taste. I left out the pine nuts because I don't like them, it didn't feel like I was missing anything. YUM!
Kids loved and said "this is a keeper!" Making it for family get together tomorrow!
Great job .Thanks for sharing such a fantastic recipe.Keep up writing and giving us many more like this one.
Tortellini recipes
This is a really good recipe even for winter!! It's so good!!
Using this for a Bunco night - I'm sure the girls will love it!
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