Buttercream Frosting and Spinach Tortellini Salad

Submitted by Marti: I have never been able to make frosting and always buy it, but, for my daughter's last birthday I found this Butter Cream Frosting recipe and it worked great on her cake and my husband thought it was really good to eat also so I thought I would share it. Then I also have a salad recipe that is a family favorite so I thought I would give that one also since the frosting you can only use every once in a while.

Butter cream Frosting
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Light corn syrup

Directions: Blend butter and shortening in a large bowl with mixer until well-blended and creamy. Blend in vanilla. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Add milk; mix until light and fluffy.
Use immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Re-whip before using. This recipe can be thinned out to spreading consistency by adding about 3 tablespoons of corn syrup.
Yield: 3 cups.

Note-I always double this recipe when I decorate a cake to ensure that I have enough to both frost and embellish. If you have any left over, seal it in an airtight container and put it in the fridge. It will stay good for up to two weeks...just re-whip it before using to soften it up.

Spinach Tortellini Salad
Ingredients:
1 bag spinach 9oz
1package cooked three cheese tortellini (I like Digiorno or Buittoni, they are in the refrigerator section by parm cheese)
1 package sliced fresh mushrooms
Salad dressing*

Directions: cook tortellini according to directions -- let cool (I usually refrigerate over night) toss with spinach, mushrooms and *dressing.

*Salad Dressing:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon grated onion or 1/2 t onion salt
2 cloves garlic
1 Tablespoon parsley or 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
6 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon tarragon
Pepper

Blend ingredients in processor or blender.