Wednesday, June 11, 2008

'CALM BEFORE THE STORM' ~ (INDOOR PICNIC) TORTELLINI SALAD with ROASTED PINENUTS

"The best thing one can do when it's raining
is to let it rain."
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
~ Blissful peony
(Paeonia)

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~ 'Calm before the storm'

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TORTELLINI SALAD with ROASTED PINENUTS

~ Tuck this away ... it's a keeper!

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2 lbs. fresh cheese filled tortellini pasta

(multi-colored look beautiful in a glass bowl)

1 seeded and chopped red pepper

1 seeded and chopped yellow pepper

1 seeded and chopped orange pepper

1 cup chopped green onions (with some green tops)

1 cup chopped toasted pinenuts

1 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill (dried to taste)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan or feta cheese

additional snipped fresh basil for garnish

(poached chicken breasts or cooked shrimp optional)

Dressing:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1-2 clove minced garlic

1/4 tsp. coarse salt

freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup vegetable oil

  • Bring pot of water to boil. Add tortellini and cook al dente according to package directions.
  • Drain tortellini and place in large bowl. Add pepper, green onions, 1/2 cup toasted pinenuts, basil, dill and cheese.
  • Make Dressing by combining vinegar, garlic, salt & pepper. Gradually whisk in olive and vegetable oil until well combined. Pour over tortellini and chill. Before serving place in chilled bowl and top with additional 1/2 cup of roasted pine nuts and additional fresh snipped basil.
  • Note: For a complete meal add cooked (poached or grilled) sliced chicken breasts or cooked (sauteed or grilled) shrimp. (8 generous servings)

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Gardener's Note: As sure as sure can be ... when peonies bloom, so comes the storm to blemish their pure face. Snip, smell and cherish before the rain hits.

7 comments:

  1. Joey, the peonies are beautiful. I love the white ones. And you are so right about the peonies blooming and then we get a down pour.

    This salad sounds wonderful and I am going to try it and take it to a couple of family reunions this summer. It's so hard to come up with something new or different to take to these things. Thanks!

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  2. I'm always looking for new pasta salad recipes; this is one I'll have to try.

    The quote is something I'm going to have to remember, too:) Hope you got to enjoy some of your peony blossoms indoors.

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  3. Mmmmmm...... I love tortellini! I have planted my basil. Have you?
    Remember a few months ago when I asked for advice on a fence? Well we have been building a custom fence for our front garden, Stop by and see. It should all come together in the next 2 weeks as the local Garden Tour is coming through then!
    Carol
    terranovadesign.blogspot.com

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  4. Hi Beckie & Rose ... I snapped the peonies and headed north for the weekend. Came home to power outages throughout the area, downed trees and 'battered' peonies! Everyone (trusting they like tortellini) will enjoy this recipe. My family loves it.

    Carol ...good to hear from you. Will pop over and see the fence. Yes, more than a flat of sweet basil is planted (can't get enough).

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  5. That's a beautiful peony Joey!! Glad you enjoyed it before they were battered by the storm! ~We have had several storms since the weekend~hard rain,~my roses and tall flowers are really taking a beating..:(
    Hope you enjoyed the weekend I'm with everyone else the pasta salad sounds delicious!
    Hug's,
    Cat

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  6. Really beautiful white peony!
    Thank you

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  7. It makes me a bit sad to see such beauty come and go so fast, Cat. But rain (at least not too much of it as the flooding in Iowa) is a blessing.

    Thanks Mireille ... a lovely compliment coming from you.

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