Gourmet Thursday

It's time for another recipe! Another favorite in our house, and really easy to make! Not many ingredients, colorful, flavorful and pretty quick.

BROWN BUTTER TORTELLINI WITH SPINACH & HAM

1 pkg (20oz) cheese-filled tortellini (I like tri-color)

1pkg (6oz) fresh baby spinach leaves (Trader Joe's has really affordable bagged spinach)

1 8oz piece cooked ham steak

1 large red bell pepper

1/4 cup butter (do not substitute)

Bring salted water to a boil and cook tortellini according to package directions.

As tortellini cook, place spinach in large colander. Dice ham into bite size pieces. Finely dice pepper. 

Drain tortellini over spinach in colander (to wilt it).

Add butter to skillet. Heat over med heat 5-7 minutes, swirling occasionally, until butter is deep brown color. Immediately add pepper. Reduce heat to low; add ham, tortellini and spinach. Gently toss to coat.

Serve with black pepper if desired (and I recommend it).

My side note is that I don't pay too much attention to the size of the tortellini package, ham steak or pepper. I just buy what I can find and don't worry to much about exact proportions of ingredients. You can also easily double this recipe for a larger group. It usually serves about 5 or 6, depending on appetite size. The recipe also says that you can substitute ravioli for the tortellini or chicken for the ham, but I've never tried because we like the original so much!