Picnic Pasta Salad

Forget about those boring store-bought pasta salads. Make your own fresh and flavorful tortellini salad, loaded with vegetables. This is the perfect summer recipe.

Ingredients

1 can artichoke hearts
1 package cheese tortellini

1 carrot, thinly sliced
Sprinkle of sunflower seeds (if desired)

Broccoli florets (or asparagus)

1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips

3 green onions, or red, sliced thinly

Parmesan cheese, grated

1 clove garlic

Salt

1 teaspoon mustard

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

2/3 cup olive oil

Basil

Pepper

Instructions

1. Cook the tortellini according to package directions.

2. Drain and rinse the artichoke hearts and cut them into quarters.

3. Add the remaining salad makings (except the parmesan) and toss with the dressing. Give a generous sprinkling of Parmesan and refrigerate.