tortellini salad with homemade italian dressing

Ingredients

• ITALIAN DRESSING:
• 1/2 cup olive oil, extra virgin
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground mustard
• 2 tablespoons finely grated asiago cheese
• 1 tablespoon finely grated parmesan cheese
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 3/4 teaspoon dry parsley flakes
• 3/4 teaspoon dry basil flakes
• 1/8 teaspoon dry oregano
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small pinch paprika
• 1 small pinch onion powder
• 1 pinch fine pink himalayan salt or sea salt
• **1 - 2 tablespoons water **only if using dressing on a lettuce salad
• SALAD:
• 12 - 15 - cherry tomatoes, quartered (i use red and yellow)
• 3 - 4 slices sweet bell pepper, chopped small (orange, red or yellow)
• 12 - kalamata olives, sliced in thirds
• 12 - 15 slices pepperoni, quartered or cut in 1/6
• 3 large fresh basil leaves, chiffonade or chopped
• 3 - 4 tablespoons prepared italian dressing
• 6 ounces dried 3 cheese tortellini (or your favorite tortellini, amount for 2 - 3 people; i use barilla.)
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh chives