Tortellini Salad with Asparagus and Fresh Basil Vinaigrette

Name: Tortellini Salad with Asparagus and Fresh Basil Vinaigrette
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil; 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 1 shallot , minced; 1 clove garlic , minced; 1 lb 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 pints grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 oz Parmesan cheese , grated (1/2 cup)

r.hurst @cook_3747876

Tortellini Salad with Asparagus and Fresh Basil Vinaigrette

r.hurst @cook_3747876

Saved

Ingredients

8 servings

6 tbspextra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cupchopped fresh basil
3 tbspfresh lemon juice
1shallot , minced
1 clovegarlic , minced
1 lbasparagus , tough ends trimmed and sliced thin on the bias
2(9-ounce) packages fresh cheese tortellini (I used frozen with great results)
1/4 cuppine nuts
1 pintsgrape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 ozParmesan cheese , grated (1/2 cup)

Saved

Steps

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

OR for the asparagus you can cook them in a skillet with some seasoning and olive oil until bright green.
4

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.
5

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.