Tasty Tuesday!

"Sex is good, but not as good as fresh, sweet corn."
-Garrison Keillor

Hello! A friend requested a pasta salad recipe and I aim to please! The one I have to share today is very versatile - you can substitute different pasta for the tortellini or mix in different vegetables. The sky is the limit! The directions may look daunting, but don't let the steps fool you. I broke them down so it was easy to follow!

You never know, this may become a family BBQ favorite! Enjoy!

"Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?"
-Author Unknown



Tortellini & Vegetable Salad

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 Lbs. cheese Tortellini
* 1 medium red pepper, cored & thinly sliced
* 1 small red onion, peeled, thinly cut (about 3/4 cup)
* 1/2 Lb. asparagus, trimmed, cut in 1 1/2" pieces
* Sea salt and black pepper to taste
* 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
* 1 large zucchini, diced
* 3 Tbsp of pine nuts
* 7 oz. basil pesto sauce (you can by it prepared or make your own)
* 1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce
* 15 basil leaves , finely sliced

Directions:

1.) Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2.) Cook tortellini until tender and they float to top of the water.
3.) Drain and rinse the tortellini with cold water and set aside.
4.) Place red pepper, onions and asparagus, in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5.) Season the vegetables with salt and pepper and drizzle with half of the olive oil.
6.) Roast vegetables 10-12 min and turn halfway through cooking.
7.) Remove from oven and set aside.
8.) Arrange the zucchini in a single layer on another baking sheet.
9.) Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
10.) Roast 5-7 min, until tender but not browned.
11.) Remove from oven and add zucchini to pepper mix.
12.) Chill 1 hour.
13.) Toast pine nuts in small pan on medium for 3 minutes.
14.) Stir frequently until they are slightly toasted.
15.) Remove from pan and set aside.
16.) Add tomatoes, pesto, Tabasco sauce, basil, pine nuts, and veggie mix to tortellini in a large bowl and gently mix.
17.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
18.) Serve chilled.

“A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do.”
-P.J. O'Rourke

Silly Joke of the Day:

What is the most dangerous vegetable to have on a boat?
............ A leek!


Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!