Tortellini Salad recipe

 ref: 

• https://marydisomma.com/blogs/recipes/luigis-italian-tortellini-pasta-salad-with-homemade-vinaigrette
• https://carlsbadcravings.com/italian-pasta-salad/

This looks like a "clean out the refrigerator recipe" but it's very tasty. I'm going to cut the ingredients in half as it makes a lot.

Dressing: Put in a jar with good lid and shake to blend

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp basil (if you have it, I used 2 fresh leaves from garden.)
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• about 2 T. fresh, finely, grated parmesan cheese
• about 1/4 fresh onion, finely chopped (added here so lemon juice can make less sharp)
• 1/4 c. olive oil
• 1/4 c. lemon juice (original recipe called for red wine vinegar which we don't have)

Cook for 3 minutes or until done in heavily salted boiling water (about 1 T salt)

• 6- 12 oz fresh tortellini (I assume any cooked noodles would work if you don't have tortellini)

Drain, then put in metal bowl, coat with some of the dressing and put in fridge or freezer to cool down while you cut up the rest of the ingredients.

Put in large bowl

• 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeds removed, cut into cubes
• about 1/2 - 1 c. cherry tomatoes cut in half
• about 1/4- 1/2 c. artichoke hearts, drained, quartered (can use marinated ones)
• 5 mozarella cheese sticks sliced into "cubes"
• 1/4 - 1/2 lb. salami cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1/4 - 1/2 c. Kalamata Olives cut in half (or some canned olives)
• 1/4 - 1/2 c. sliced pepperoncini, drained
• 2 - 4 T. fresh chopped parsley

Blend everything together and see if you like the ratio of everything. 

Then add cooled tortellini and the rest of the salad dressing. Mix everything together.

Can eat right away or wait until later.