Creamy Pesto Tortellini with Smoked Sausage ~ submitted by Lisa O'Hara

This Easy Gourmet Recipe submission is great for a family meal or a dinner party!

Ingredients:

1 package Three Cheese Tortellini
1 long link Smoked Turkey Sausage
1 cup fresh or frozen Peas
1 cup Creamy Alfredo Sauce
1/2 cup Pesto Sauce

Bring a large pot of water to boil and add in the Tortellini. When the Tortellini has cooked (all floating to the top) strain, but do not rinse. Place the Tortellini back in the pot.

While the Tortellini is boiling, cook the Turkey Sausage either in a skillet or on the grill. Once it has cooked, cut it into bite sized pieces.

In a sauce pan warm the Alfredo Sauce and Pesto Sauce together, stirring regularly.

Once these three elements are prepared add the Sausage and Peas to the Tortellini and pour the sauce in. Stir, until blended evenly.

California Brown Rice Salad ~ submitted by Lauren Pierini

This Easy Gourmet Recipe submission is perfect for a summer picnic or barbeque.

Ingredients:

1 Shallot, chopped
2 cups Cooked Brown Rice
1 Tomato, diced
1/2 Cucumber, diced
2 tbsp Arugula, finely chopped
1 Avocado, cubed
1/3 cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
Juice of Half a Lemon
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Prepare your Brown Rice according to the package details and set aside.

Dice your Tomato and half a Cucumber into small pieces and finely chop your arugula and shallot. Set these aside. 

Sauté the chopped shallot in a skillet with a swirl of olive oil. Add two cups of the cooked brown rice, the diced tomato and cucumber, along with your arugula. Cube your avocado and scoop into the mix, discarding the black shell. Add your Crumbled Feta Cheese and squeeze one half of a Lemon over the salad, then Salt and Pepper to taste.  Mix until just incorporated and lightly warmed.

Serve as a side to salmon or as an addition to a green salad.