Smoked Salmon Tortellini with Bechamel Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 (9 ounce) packages cheese tortellini
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1/4 small onion
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and quartered
• 10 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 pound smoked salmon, chopped
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and cook the tortellini 7 to 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl.

In a saucepan over low heat, simmer the milk, onion, bay leaf, cloves, and nutmeg about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and discard the onion, bay leaf, and cloves.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the red bell pepper and asparagus, and cook about 3 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms, and continue cooking until tender. Mix in the smoked salmon, reduce heat to low, and cook until heated through.

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat, and slowly whisk in the flour until smooth. Thoroughly blend in the warmed milk. Stir into the skillet with the salmon mixture.

Spoon the salmon and sauce mixture into the bowl with the cooked pasta, and toss to coat.