Tortellini And Spinach Salad With Sesame Dressing

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 2 tablespoons oriental sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon tamari soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• fresh ground pepper
• 1 lb frozen cheese tortellini
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1 tomato, cut into small cubes
• 1/3 cup red onion, slivered
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• 4 cups fresh spinach, torn into small pieces, washed and spun dry

Recipe

• 1 combine all the ingredients for the sesame dressing in a screw-top jar and shake vigorously. set aside.
• 2 bring a large pot of water to a boil. drop in the tortellini and cook until al dente, about 5 minutes. do not overcook. drain in a colander. run cold water over the tortellini until they are cold, then drain again very well. pour into a large serving bowl.
• 3 stir in the pepper, tomato, and onion, then pour on half of the sesame dressing and toss well. let marinate at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours. cover and chill if longer than 1 hour. bring to room temperature before serving.
• 4 place the sesame seeds in a dry, small saucepan and toast them over medium heat until they begin to pop and smoke slightly, about 3 minutes. pour into a little dish and let cool.
• 5 just before serving, stir the spinach into the tortellini mixture. pour on the remaining dressing and toss well. sprinkle on the sesame seeds and toss again.