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Pesto Tortellini Salad
One dish I make year round that is always a crowd pleaser, is my Pesto Tortellini Salad. While the vibrant red, green, and white ingredient colors lend themselves to a holiday inspired side dish, this is really a perfect accompaniment any time of year and it is SUPER easy to throw together in a pinch. Best part? Guests go nuts over this and while it seems like a mature side dish, it is so simple to make that you’ll feel guilty accepting the compliments!
Chances are, you already have these handful of main ingredients in the house, but if you don’t they are so easy to grab from any grocery store. In the event you don’t have Tortellini, you can easily substitute this with many different types of pasta, which will work beautifully as well.
This is also the perfect way to repurpose leftovers if you made a pesto pasta dinner the night before as noted in my earlier post linked here: Orecchiette with Arugula Pesto.
The few simple ingredients in this dish are Pasta (your choice), Pesto (store bought or homemade), Fresh Baby Mozzarella, Grape Tomatoes, and Baby Spinach. Season with salt and pepper and gently toss together until well combined.
Including cooking time, this dish can be made in under 10 minutes- and who doesn’t love that?! One of the best parts of this salad is that it can be made ahead, which, when entertaining and having other dishes needing to be ready at a specific time, is very helpful.
Pesto Tortellini Salad2018-11-18 20:26:33PrintIngredients- 1 LB Tortellini (or pasta of your preference)
- 1.5-2 Cups Basil Pesto (store bought or homemade)
- 1 12oz Container of Fresh Ciliegiene (baby) Mozzarella (drained and halved)
- 5oz Baby Spinach Leaves (rough chopped)
- 5oz Grape Tomatoes (halved)
- Salt & Pepper (to taste)
Instructions- Cook pasta to package instructions and drain. Let cool.
- Transfer pasta into a mixing bowl and add tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, baby spinach, and pesto.
- Gently combine ingredients together until well coated in the pesto and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer onto a serving platter and refrigerate until ready to serve.
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Tomato Pesto with Toasted Pine Nuts
Many of the recipes I post can be put together in a relatively short period of time, because like you, I also have a very demanding schedule and do not always have as much time as I’d like to spend cooking! One of these recipes is my “Tomato Pesto with Toasted Pine Nuts,” which is something I whip up quickly when short on time. From start to finish, this dish comes together in about 20 minutes, which even the Pizza delivery guy can’t compete with!
A misconception I often hear as to why many people don’t cook is that they feel it is too difficult and complicated or that it simply just takes too long to put together, when in reality it’s actually the opposite.
As long as you have a few basic techniques down and a couple of “go to” flavor profiles, you are sure to put together a great and flavorful dish every time. All you need is a bit of passion towards putting together a lovingly prepared meal, and the rest will follow organically.
The world is changing and our generation is advancing on to the newest trends, like meal delivery programs, for example. I mean, why not?? All of the ingredients are portioned ahead, the recipes crafted up by world renowned chefs to prepare in the comfort of our own homes, and with easy to follow “step by step” instructions, it’s a no-brainer, right?
These services are great, especially when factoring in the time saved by the skipped trip to the grocery store, but in the midst of convenience, I encourage everyone to not forget the importance of originality and the sense of pride attributed with a thoughtful, home cooked meal.
For another easy “Arugula Pesto” recipe, click here.
Tomato Pesto with Toasted Pine Nuts2018-05-06 16:11:19PrintIngredients- 3/4 Cup Fresh Basil
- 1/2 Cup Cherry Tomatoes (or any tomato will do)
- 2 Cloves Fresh Garlic
- 2/3 Grated Reggiano Parmesan
- 2/3 Toasted Pine Nuts
- 1 TSP Crushed Red Pepper
- 1 TSP Black Pepper
- 1 TSP Kosher Salt
- 2/3 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions- In a frying pan over medium heat, toast pine nuts until golden brown, tossing often. While the pine nuts are toasting, assemble the remaining ingredients together (except for the tomatoes and olive oil) and transfer into a blender. Add in toasted pine nuts and slowly incorporate in the olive oil and tomatoes until desired consistency and color is achieved (should be a medium orange color when ready). Store in a refrigerator for up to a week or toss with hot pasta/over grilled chicken immediately.
Notes- **Depending on the type of tomato you are using or their hue, you may need less or more than the suggested amount to get the correct, medium orange color.
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Modern Day Caprese Salad
If your family is anything like mine, they are willing to try new things but at any family gathering, the staples are a requirement. So how do you keep them appealing after so many years? Enter in the “Modern Day” Caprese Salad. A simple substitute, like in this case, replacing the traditional red tomato with an heirloom brown “Kumato,” makes a big statement. Yes- this unique product will cost you a little more, but for the seldom times we entertain, it goes a long way in making our guests feel special.
For a time, this (and other) specialty tomato products could only be found in stores like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods, but lately, I have been able to find them in my local Stop & Shop which, is very convenient.
Another way you can enhance your presentation is by substituting the standard Basil leaves with “Micro Basil” (as shown). I LOVE this product for several reasons. First- it is unique and presents beautifully. It is also unexpected and the “element of surprise” is definitely a factor here. Secondly- It holds up better than your average Basil leaves. I find that traditional Basil has a tendency to wilt quickly or become black, and let’s be honest- we eat with our eyes first. Lastly, I like that this allows guests to take as little or as much as they’d like, which helps to prevent overpowering their bite with a heavy licorice flavor.
The photo is shown with no dressing, however, I do recommend topping your platter with either a fresh pesto or balsamic glaze to bring the dish together.
Modern Day Caprese Salad2018-03-05 17:55:15PrintIngredients- 1 Package of "Kumato" Tomatoes (or heirloom of your choice)
- 1 Package of Sliced Fresh Mozzarella
- 1 Pack of Micro Basil Leaves
- Black Pepper (for topping)
- Balsamic Glaze or Pesto for Drizzling
Instructions- Slice tomatoes evenly and alternate them between the Fresh Mozzarella Slices. Top with Micro Basil, fresh cracked Black Pepper, and the dressing of your choice. Serve chilled.
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