Tortellini Salad

Sometimes you need a meal that doesn't require an oven or a microwave. When I travel, especially if it is by car, I like to pack Tortellini Salad. Pop open your plastic container, stick a fork in it and you are ready to eat! I'm not planning to go anywhere tomorrow, but it is lunch for me and my husband.


my trusty little steamer that is I-don't-know-how-old

carrots in the sauna

bite size broccoli
tortellini ready to go in the pot
finished salad topped off with a little Parmesan cheese
ready to chill overnight

A similar version of what my husband will receive in his lunch tomorrow


Tortellini Salad
4-5 medium carrots sliced 1/8-1/4 inch thick
1 large head of broccoli cut into bite-size pieces
1 can of black olives (optional)
1 red, orange, or yellow bell pepper diced
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half
1 20 oz package of three-cheese tortellini from the refrigerated section of the grocery
Italian dressing
Ranch or Caesar Salad Dressing

Put a large pot of water on to boil. Salt the water when it comes to a boil. Cook tortellini according to the package. Err on the shorter side, than cooking it too long and making it mushy. Test the pasta to make certain it is cooked, but not crunchy. Drain and set aside to cool.
In a separate pan, steam the carrots and broccoli for 8-10 minutes. Carefully remove from the pan and place in a large mixing bowl/popcorn bowl.
Combine the pasta, steamed carrots, broccoli, diced peppers, tomatoes, and sliced olives. Gently toss with 4-5 TBSP of Italian Dressing and 4-5 TBSP of your preferred creamy style dressing. Chill in the fridge for 4 hours or overnight. Taste before serving to see if additional dressing is needed. Top with fresh Parmesan cheese.
If you are serving this to a large group, it looks nice in a trifle dish.
*If you will be arranging a funny face, leave out a slice of pepper, carrots, broccoli pieces and 2 olives. They contrast better against the salad when they don't have salad dressing on them.



Completely off the subject from salad, but the other day, I was presented with the only known existing copy of Olives. It is the first addition of a cookbook made by Phillip Morris. Phillip Morris as in my four year-old. I love it! It is my favorite kind of cookbook...lots of pictures and no words. I really like olives, any kind of olive, but I must admit black olives are my favorite. He doesn't like them at all. Maybe little sister will like them.