TORTELLINI SALAD WITH FRESH BASIL AND TOMATOES IN VINAIGRETTE

Tortellini Salad With Fresh Basil and Tomatoes in Vinaigrette image

I took an idea from Michael Chiarello on the Food Network, and tweaked it according to a favorite vinaigrette recipe of mine. This is a delightful main-dish salad on a hot summer night. Grill up some foccacia, brushed with a good olive oil like Frantoia or Ravida, and serve it in pie-shaped wedges alongside. Good eats!

Provided by Maumeeprof

Time 40m

Yield 12-14 1/2 cup servings, 12-16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (good quality)
2 -3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup extra virgin olive oil (basic, not the good stuff)
16 ounces dried cheese tortellini
1 -2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (the good stuff)
2 (16 ounce) containers cherry tomatoes or 2 (16 ounce) containers campari tomatoes, quartered
8 -10 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
6 -8 scallions, sliced
1/3 cup fresh basil, torn

Steps:

For the Vinaigrette: Whir first five ingredients in blender until smooth. Drizzle thin stream of olive oil in until all is emulsified. Set aside.
Boil tortellini according to directions, drain, rinse in cold water to stop the cooking. Spread cooked pasta out on a jelly roll pan, drizzle with the good olive oil and sprinkle with pepper; stir up to coat tortellini with oil. This prevents the pasta from going glue-y when added to the rest of the salad ingredients. Set aside, covered with plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to a couple hours.
In a very large bowl, place quartered tomatoes, feta cheese crumbles, scallions, and pour about half the vinaigrette over, tossing gently. Refrigerate the tomato mixture until 2-3 hours before serving.
About 2-3 hours before serving, toss the oiled tortellini with the tomato mixture, add a bit more dressing, if you think it needs it. Refrigerate. Just before serving, toss the fresh basil with the tortellini-tomato mixture. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 355.9, Fat 26.3, SaturatedFat 7, Cholesterol 33.7, Sodium 416.9, Carbohydrate 22.4, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 3.4, Protein 8.9

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