Tuscan Tortellini Salad

Summer Salad……… Tuscan Tortellini Salad.

Tuscan Tortellini Salad

Summer salads are the best……cool, fresh veggies, in yummy, light dressings….makes my mouth water at the thought.

Pasta salads are some of my favs. I really like tortellini for summer pasta salads. Filled with cheese, or meats they are little packets bursting with flavor.

Tuscan Tortellini Salad

I like to use Barilla’s Cheese & Spinach tortellini, egg pasta folded around creamy Ricotta cheese and tender spinach, and pinched into a distinctive ring shape. And they are cute!!!

Tortellini……Italian………Tuscan……..I feel a flavor profile coming together.

Tuscan Tortellini Salad

Sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, cherry tomatoes, bocconcini, and sopressata.
Sopressata is similar to hard salami, and it can also be spicy!
Tim and I had sopressata on a pizza in Las Vegas at Wolf Gang Pucks restaurant. It was spicy and delicious.

Tuscan Tortellini Salad

I think the bocconcini mozzarella balls are the cutest little things. Bocconcini means little bites in Italian…….too cute!

A simple vinaigrette of olive oil, white balsamic vinegar…….I have been using this lately as it doesn’t discolor dishes like regular balsamic does…….a pinch of sugar, salt, and pepper.

Tuscan Tortellini Salad
This salad is easy to make and can be kept for several days…….in my opinion, it was even better the next day. The flavors melded together soon nicely.

Pair the Tuscan Tortellini Salad with grilled meat, or add a nice loaf of your favorite Italian bread, and a glass of your favorite beverage and you have a summer salad thats sure to please……..

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Tuscan Tortellini Salad

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 113 ounce package Barilla cheese & spinach tortellini 1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 ounces sopressata or other Italian style meat, chopped
  • 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomato, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 8 ounce package of fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 c. Parmesan, shredded

Instructions

  1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain and transfer to large serving bowl.
  2. For the dressing: Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
  3. To the tortellini in the bowl, add sopressata, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, basil, parsley, and dressing tossing until well combined.
  4. Garnish with Parmesan.

 

Marinated Mozzarella

Marinated Mozzarella is your Sunday snack ticket!!!

Marinated Mozzarella 4

Sunday snacks……what football game would be complete without them??

This is one of the easiest recipes ever…….I kid you not. Cut. Mix. Pour. Store.

Marinated Mozzarella 1

It can literally be made in about 10 minutes. A pound block of mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes, then mixed with sundries tomatoes, garlic, and herb…….covered with olive oil and marinade.

Marinated Mozzarella 2

Only downside to this recipe is that it needs to be removed from the frig about an hour before game time. The olive oil does tend to set up and you need to allow it to return to room temp.

Marinated Mozzarella 9

This could be considered a plus…….take out the cheese, and by the time you get your favorite team garb on, you are ready to go…….I know, but in girl time, it will take an hour to get ready!!

Marinated Mozzarella 6

So, enjoy a snack of Marinated Mozzarella at your next Sunday game!!!!

Marinated Mozzarella 7

P.S. Marinated Mozzarella can also be an elegant appetizer for special occasions or holidays.

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Marinated Mozzarella 4

Marinated Mozzarella

  • Author: Marty Boyd

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound mozzarella cheese,cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup, sun dried tomatoes in oil drained,diced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 11/4 cups olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients except oil in a large bowl and toss to bled ingredients.
  2. Place tossed cheese mixture into a large mason jar. Pour olive oil over cheese in jar; seal and turn upside down. Refrigerate overnight, turning several times. Serve with bread or crackers.

 

Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwich

It’s picnic time……pack a lunch and head to the park, the country or the beach. But, you need something to eat……pack a picnic and take a Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwich along.

Pressed Italain Picnic Sandwich

This really is the perfect sandwich…..make ahead, easy to tote, yummy Italian flavors ……perfect. Continue reading “Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwich”