Tortellini Spinach Salad With Sesame Dressing

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon tamari soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 lb frozen cheese tortellini
• 1 bell pepper, cut in thin strips (yellow, orange or red)
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1/3 cup slivered red onion
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds (see note)
• 4 cups fresh spinach, washed, dried and torn in small pieces

Recipe

• 1 combine dressing ingredients (oil through black pepper) in a jar, shaking to combine (or whisk together in a small bowl).
• 2 cook tortellini according to package directions, being sure not to overcook. drain and transfer to a large serving bowl.
• 3 stir the bell pepper, tomato and onion with the tortellini. pour half of the dressing over and toss well.
• 4 let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours. (cover and chill if longer than 1 hour. bring to room temperature before serving.).
• 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.
• 6 *note: to toast sesame seeds, place in a small, dry skillet and toast over medium heat until they begin to pop and smoke slightly, about 3 minutes. let cool. be careful not to burn them!