Tortellini Spinach Salad

INGREDIENTS:
Salad:
20 ounce package refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 (14.5 oz.) can quartered artichokes
1 (9 oz.) bag fresh baby spinach
1 (3 oz.) bag sun dried tomatoes or diced fresh tomatoes
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup diced red onion(opt)
Dressing:
9 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
1 ½ tablespoon tomato paste
Salt and pepper to taste (about 1/8 teaspoon each)
3/4 cup olive oil
DIRECTIONS:
Cook tortellini in boiling water until al dente. Drain and toss (carefully so the tortellini don’t break apart) with a teaspoon of olive oil to keep from sticking. Let cool in colander. In a large bowl, toss all the salad ingredients together after the pasta has cooled.

In a blender add all of the dressing ingredients except for the olive oil and process until smooth. Then, while the blender is running, slowly add the olive oil and blend until completely combined. If serving the salad right away, immediately pour the dressing over the salad and toss well (you may not need all the dressing). Serve.

Angel Hair Pasta Salad

INGREDIENTS:
1 pound angel hair pasta
1/2 cup olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese
2-3 fresh tomatoes, seeded and diced
handful of fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces
1 4 oz. package pine nuts, lightly toasted (you can do this over medium-low heat in a non-stick skillet)
Coarse salt
DIRECTIONS:
Boil water for pasta. When water starts boiling, add a handful of rock salt (i.e. ice cream salt). Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 4 minutes. Drain pasta and place in serving bowl. While pasta is boiling, saute garlic in olive oil until sizzling and lightly browned (don’t burn the garlic or it will taste bitter). Pour garlic and olive oil over warm pasta and toss. Sprinkle a teaspoon or so (to taste) of coarse salt over the noodles and add 1 cup of the parmesan cheese. Toss again. Let noodles cool slightly. Right before serving, top noodles with diced tomatoes, pine nuts, torn basil and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Very lightly toss, being careful not to let all the toppings go to the bottom. Serve.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Serves 4-6
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (you don’t want the beef to be too high in fat because the fat will all pool at the bottom of the baking dish after baking – big time grody-ness in my book)
3/4 cup quick oats
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Combine all of the ingredients and mix well. Form into about 12 balls, eacha bout 2 inches in diameter. Place in a casserole dish. Cover with sauce (below). Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Serve over rice.
Sauce:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon mustard
1/4 cup barbeque sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Combine ingredients and blend thoroughly. Heat in a small saucepan until combined and sugar is dissolved and pour over meatballs. (This dish is not overly abundant on sauce so if you enjoy things a bit saucier, double the sauce ingredients.)
*Freezable Meal: After covering the meatballs with sauce, cover the pan with two layers of aluminum foil and freeze. To bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake covered without thawing for 1 hour. Uncover and bake 20-30 minutes more, until meatballs are cooked through.

Recipe Source: adapted from Lion House Recipes

Jessica's Reception Salad

*Plan Ahead: the pasta needs to marinate in the dressing for at least an hour.*
*Serves 6-8
INGREDIENTS:
Dressing:
1 cup canola oil
1/2 - 2/3 c. yoshida sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar, and 1/4 cup cider vinegar. Or scant 1/2 c. white vinegar
6 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Salad:
16 oz. bow tie pasta, cooked al dente, drained and cooled
1 bag fresh spinach (9 – 10 oz) or 1/2 baby spinach and 1/2 romaine lettuce
6 oz. c raisins
2 (11 oz.) cans mandarin oranges, drained, or fresh pineapple and mango
1 (8 oz.) can water chestnuts, drained and slivered
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
6 oz. honey roasted peanuts
2 cups cooked chicken, tossed with 2-3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce

DIRECTIONS:
In a blender, combine all the dressing ingredients and blend until well combined and smooth. Mix all of the dressing with the cooked pasta in a large ziplock bag and marinate over night. Combine the remaining salad ingredients in a large bowl. Just before serving, add pasta and toss.  Serve immediately.