Broccoli Tortellini Salad

Here is another family favorite. The recipe comes from my Mom. This salad is easy to prepare and perfect for taking to potlucks. It saves well and you can eat it for a couple of days...... if there are any leftovers!

Ingredients are simple, a head of broccoli, mayonnaise, red onion, shelled sunflower seeds, golden raisins, bacon, tortellini, sugar, and cider vinegar. 

Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 tsp. cider vinegar. Set aside.

Rinse and chop one head of broccoli into small pieces.

Add to large bowl.

Finely chop one red onion and add to bowl.

Add one cup golden raisins and one cup shelled sunflower seeds to bowl.

Slice 1lb. of bacon into 1/2 inch pieces. I think it is easier to slices the bacon before you fry it, but if you prefer to fry whole pieces, feel free. Okay, I confess the recipe really calls for 6 slices.

Pour your package of frozen tortellini into a large pot of boiling water. when they are cooked, they will float, usually 2-5 minutes, just wait for them to float.

Stir the bacon periodically as it cooks in a large skillet.

Is there anything quite as wonderful as bacon? You will be glad you used the whole package, because about now people come by and start snitching pieces.

Drain the grease and blot excess grease from the bacon with paper towels.

Add the bacon to the bowl. Here we have the bacon, broccoli, golden raisins, sunflower seeds, and red onion,

Add the drained tortellini and the mayo salad dressing you set aside earlier and mix thoroughly.

Enjoy this bowl of deliciousness!

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon
• 20 ounces fresh cheese-filled tortellini
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
• 3 heads fresh broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 red onion, finely chopped

Directions

1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook tortellini in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain, and rinse under cold water.
3. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar to make the dressing.
4. In a large bowl, combine broccoli, tortellini, bacon, raisins, sunflower seeds and red onion. Pour dressing over salad, and toss.