For the last week or so, I have been existing on leftovers and freezer/pantry finds. Luckily, I have been still able to eat pretty well, but my body has been begging me for some freshness. I was so excited to find this salad which is just full of vegetables and bright flavors. It's quick and simple to make and I made the full recipe which meant I had this for dinner and lunch over the last couple of days. It was so good, I didn't mind eating the same thing over and over again. This is not your typical pasta salad and that is a very good thing. Obviously the written recipe calls for these pesto tortelloni which are found at TJs, but any stuffed pasta will do. This is a great recipe to have on hand for lunches and if you are going to a picnic it is perfect since it travels well. It is really worth it to make the full batch and again since it travels well, it can be used for a picnic, a beach trip, or whatever fabulosity you have planned for the weekend.
Tortelloni and Spring Vegetable Salad
(Adapted from The Kitchn who adapted from 101 Cookbooks)
Makes 4 main dish servings
1 package Trader Joe's fresh pesto tortelloni (8 ounces) (or any fresh stuffed pasta)
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch spears
1 cup shelled peas (fresh or frozen)
3 cups fresh spinach
1 scallion, chopped
1/4 cup pine nuts
5 ounces feta, crumbled
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (or a squeeze of lemon juice)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
Bring a pot of water to a boil, salt. Meanwhile, prepare and ice bath and prep vegetables.
When the water is boiling, add the tortellini. It will cook in about 5 minutes (or follow package directions). After 3 minutes, add the asparagus. Add the peas for the last 30 seconds.
Strain the pasta and vegetables and place immediately into the ice bath. Once they've cooled, strain again and pour into a mixing bowl. Add the spinach, green onions, pine nuts and feta. Toss with vinegar and oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Printable Recipe
25 comments:
Oh Esi. I'm so sorry to hear about the job. That blows. I'm in LA and while I can't offer you a job, let me know if you need anything!
This dish looks great. And you are so creative and your photography so beautiful, I'm sure you can make 10 cent ramen packages look mouthwatering.
Another dish I am going to have to make this summer! I haven't tried the pesto tortellini at TJ's yet, but sounds intriguing... I'll check it out the next time I'm there! Love how quick and easy this is too!
I know something great is bound to come up for you... all of us out in bloggerspace are rooting for you!
Esi I'm so sorry... I know this must be hard and I really hope you're able to make the most of this "time off" (look at it that way, it helps) before finding a great job, even better than the one before! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
Thanks for keeping your spirits up and sharing your meals with us :)
oh no seriously? well at least you're in LA and will have a better chance of finding a job there than somewhere else.
if anyone can make some spectacular meal out of nothing it's you.
let me know if you need any help emotionally or financially...I'm here momma!
Sorry to hear about your job Esi, I hope everything turns out for the best.
This tortelloni salad looks awesome, and so fresh. Thanks for sharing!
It's nice when you can combine those fresh greens and veggies with your meal.
Sending warm thoughts your way.
Thank you all for your greatness :)
Esi - looks like a great dish that will give you the positive energy required to get you going on your next gig. Keep you head up and keep cooking. I'm certain your blog will keep you going with creativity, and heck, who knows, maybe this is the time to take your blog to the next level. Keep up the good work.
ahhh that spinach looks so fresh and delicious! i could totally go for a big plate of this!
I love this, and your picture is gorgeous. I am going to make this for myself for lunch.
Sorry about the job!! Best wishes to you!! Hang in there!
LOVE this salad. I can't wait to make it!
I'm so sorry to hear about the job - that both sucks and blows.
That salad looks amazing; spring on a plate!
that SCREAMS spring! hopefully it will put a smile on your face and help stay positive during this difficult time. i'll keep my ears open for you, but i'm not sure how much I can do up here ;) hey, you never know, right?
What an amazing Spring pasta dish! Sorry to hear about the job. Good luck with the job search.
I'm sorry, Esi! I'm praying for this to be the door opening to your dream job!!!! Your salad looks really good, fresh and so delicious.
I'm so sorry to hear about your job. I hope things turn around quickly- I know you will def make lemonade with these lemons.
Yummy meal- pasta with greens is always a-ok in my book. I could eat the same meals for days :)
Thanks again everyone! You are all helping me stay positive :)
Hang in there Esi.
just finished making this- absolutely delicious! thanks for posting the recipe :)
Exactly a year after you first posted this recipe... And I still love it. I made it several times for various picnics, and every time I got asked for the recipe. So naturally, your blog got linked quite a lot in my emails. :)
This time I had to replace the asparagus (alas, but 5 Euros for a pound is just... no.), and I think zucchini does well in there, too. Not as good as asparagus, but it's nice.
So... May I just say that I completely adore your recipes? That's all I really wanted to do with this comment. Fangirl a bit, get some squeeing in... You know. :)
Hope you had a good year!
Love,
Naurael
Naurael, so glad you keep making this! It's delicious and easy and can be changed up so many ways. Cheers!
... aaaand it's this time of the year again. I made your salad four times already, and come the next barbecue, I will do it a fifth time. Still wonderful, still applauded everywhere I go. :)
I have found another adjustment, for when there is no feta - fresh roughly grated Parmesan works quite well.
But on the whole, I can only repeat myself - YUM.
'Til next year! :)
Love,
Naurael
Naurael - I love hearing you say that year after year. So great that you keep making this wonderful salad.
Dear Esi,
I just wanted to quickly let you know that yes, more than ten years later, I am still making your tortellini salad every spring.
Hope you and your loved ones are ok in these trying times.
Love,
Naurael
And due to writing on my phone, this published earlier than I thought... I just wanted to add that it is still my most looked-forward-to meal after the winter - thank you once more for this!
More love,
Naurael
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