Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad

• 1 lb. Italian sausage links
• 1 lb. cheese-filled tortellini
• 2 large, very ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 sm. red onion, diced
• 1 cup pitted, sliced kalamata, greek
• black olives
• 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, sliced (optional)
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 1/4 lemon, juice of
• Hot red pepper flakes, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. Grill italian sausages over a hot grill until cooked through.
2. Remove to cool, slice and pour into large salad bowl.
3. While waiting for the sausage to grill, set a stockpot of water to boil, add pasta when at full boil and cook until al dente (do not overcook).
4. Drain the pasta and rinse quickly with cold water to stop the cooking process.
5. Add pasta to the bowl, along with the tomatoes, onion, olives, and artichoke hearts; toss thoroughly.
6. Pour oil over pasta slowly, tossing periodically to coat everything evenly.
7. Toss chopped herbs and cheese with pasta until well combined.
8. Sprinkle lemon juice and peppers and toss again.
9. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
10. Let come back to room temperature before serving, test to see if it requires more oil or lemon before setting out.

italian sausage links, tortellini, tomatoes, red onion, black olives, hearts, extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil, fresh rosemary, parmesan cheese, lemon, red pepper, freshly ground black pepper

Taken from www.foodgeeks.com/recipes/947 (may not work)