By Gretchen McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tortellini is a winner when it comes to easy weeknight meals because it’s quick to prepare and lends itself to so many different dishes.

Related Articles

How Italian home cooks make their pasta taste so good

Budget-friendly bites: Rotisserie chicken and other cheap ingredients, elevated

Saffron brings a golden hue to this fresh combination of zucchini and pasta

This steak salad is a trattoria staple and the perfect summer lunch

Quick Fix: Pesto Chicken Burger on Ciabatta Bread with Quick Coleslaw

You can toss it with red sauce or pesto, or use the tiny dumplings to bulk up a savory broth. For heartier appetites, you can bake the pasta in a casserole dish in a creamy cheese sauce topped with breadcrumbs for an Italian take on mac ‘n’ cheese.

Tortellini also works wonderfully in a warm or cold salad because the tiny pillows filled with meat, cheese or greens like spinach go nicely with crisp, seasonal vegetables and creamy or tangy dressings.

Plus, it’s relatively inexpensive if you buy bagged, dried tortellini instead of the fresh pasta you find in the refrigerated section.

For our latest installment of our bi-monthly budget meal series, we do just that — toss bagged tortellini with bite-sized pieces of asparagus and juicy cherry tomatoes in an entree salad with a lemony, Parmesan-heavy dressing that literally takes seconds to whisk together.

Bookending the dinner is homemade focaccia dusted with salt and rosemary (it’s easier than you think!) and a fluffy strawberry mousse that requires just three ingredients: sugar, cream and berries.

The bread takes a few hours to prepare because the dough has to rise twice, but it only has to bake for around 20 minutes — about the same time it takes to toss together the pasta and veggies. Even better is the final tally — just $14. 22 for two with leftovers, or a budget-loving $7.11 per diner.

Before we get into the menu, we need a little bit of backstory on tortellini, which is one of the most beloved pasta types in Northern Italy.

Some say Castelfranco Emilia in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy gave birth to this tender pasta stuffed with everything from ground beef to prosciutto to a mix of cheeses (the city holds an annual festival on the second Sunday in September). But Modena to the west and Bologna to the east also claim it as their own.

Whatever its geographical origins, tortellini (which means “little cake” or “little ring” in Italian) have been feeding the masses for centuries. In 1570, a rich pasta dish called tortelletti — made with capon breast, cow udder, beef marrow, fresh ricotta and warm spices like cinnamon — appeared in Italian Renaissance chef Bartolomeo Scappi’s cookbook, “Opera.”

The curved shape of the pasta also is open to a couple different interpretations. One of the most popular is that it was inspired by the contours of a beautiful woman — perhaps Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty — who a peeping tom-innkeeper saw when he peered through a keyhole as she undressed.

‘The recipe that follows is much easier than Scappi’s tortelletti to rustle up after work, and a whole lot cheaper.

The biggest expense (no surprise) was the tortellini, which cost $4.98 for 12 ounces. But since I was only serving two, I needed only 2/3 of the bag, bringing the price to just $3.35.

Taking advantage of what was on sale, I paid $1.50 for a half-pound of asparagus and $2.38 for a 1-pound container of strawberries.

The focaccia, which produced eight servings, was almost ridiculously cheap as it required only a small amount of all-purpose flour, a single teaspoon of active dried yeast and just a couple tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkled with salt and dried rosemary, it was so delicious that I actually made it twice to make sure my initial try wasn’t a fluke.

While I didn’t calculate the cost of the olive oil (which I buy by the gallon) or the basil (always growing on my window sill), neither would have added much to the total tally, especially if you substitute vegetable oil and parsley. (Tip: Those potted basil plants you see in the produce department are always cheaper than the tiny plastic herb containers, and if you plant it in a small pot, you can keep clipping the leaves as needed.)

I also used a shallot and handful of arugula I found in my crisper, along with a clove of garlic that’s always, always on hand.

At the last minute, I threw in some toasted pine nuts for extra crunch, but they’re so expensive these days (especially Italian), it’s totally fine to go without.

While I designed this menu for a weeknight dinner, it works just as well for a summer picnic or cookout since everything travels well and doesn’t have to be reheated. (Though you will want to keep the strawberry mousse chilled in a cooler.)

No-Knead Pan Focaccia

PG tested

Breadmaking can be intimidating for many home cooks. This recipe for homemade focaccia, a flat Italian baked bread, should chase those fears away. Both the ingredient list and the process is simple, making it a great recipe for bread beginners.

I made the dough twice — once in a food processor and again in my KitchenAid mixer using the paddle attachment. They worked equally well.

I used dried rosemary and coarse sea salt to top it because that’s what I had in my spice cabinet.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dry instant yeast
3/4 cup lukewarm water
3 tablespoons plus 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh or dried rosemary leaves
1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Place flour, salt and yeast in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment and pulse to combine.

Add water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Pulse until a rough ball of dough forms, about 15 (2-second) pulses.

Drizzle 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large bowl. Flour your hands, scoop the dough out of the food processor and form into a smooth ball. Place the dough in the oiled bowl and turn it so it’s coated on all sides.

Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it sit at warm room temperature until doubled in size, 2-3 hours.

Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a 10-inch cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet and rub it over the bottom and sides. Punch down the dough and place in the skillet.

Using your fingertips, coax and stretch the dough to cover the bottom of the skillet and reach all the way to the edges.

Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rest at warm room temperature until puffed and slightly risen, 30-40 minutes. Meanwhile, arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 450 degrees.

Use your fingertips to gently dimple the surface of the dough. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the dough so that it pools in some of the indentations. Sprinkle with rosemary and flaky salt.

Place in the oven and immediately turn the heat down to 400 degrees. Bake until lightly golden-brown, 20-25 minutes.

Remove from the oven and cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Focaccia is best eaten when warm, but is also good at room temperature. If the crust gets too soft, reheat in a 350-degree oven to crisp it up.

— thekitchn.com

Ingredients for a budget tortellini salad for two. (Gretchen McKay/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS)

Tortellini Salad with Spring Veggies

PG tested

Pasta is always a good choice when you’re trying to keep costs down. This recipe has dried spinach tortellini, fresh asparagus, cherry tomatoes and a handful of baby arugula for a super-easy and filling spring meal.

Be sure to plunge the asparagus into an ice bath after it’s been blanched so it doesn’t overcook and stays bright green. If you happen to have pine nuts in your pantry, toast a few tablespoons and use as a garnish; if not, no worries — they’re an expensive add-on!

1/2 pound thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
8 ounces packaged dried cheese or spinach tortellini
1/2 cup vegetable or olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon, plus more for serving
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
Handful of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
Handful of fresh arugula or spinach, optional
Handful of chopped fresh basil or parsley, or combination
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, optional
Red pepper flakes, for garnish, optional

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water.

Add asparagus to boiling water and cook until it’s crisp-tender, about 60-90 seconds, depending on thickness. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately transfer to the ice bath.

Let cool, then dry with a paper towel and set aside.

Return water to a boil and add dried tortellini. Cook according to package instructions (about 10 minutes), stirring often. Drain tortellini and rinse with cold water. (This will prevent it from clumping together.) Drain again, leaving it just the tiniest bit damp.

Make vinaigrette: Whisk oil, lemon juice, shallot and garlic together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Prepare salad: Place cooked tortellini in a large serving bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss well to combine.

Add tomatoes, arugula or spinach, basil, grated Parmesan, pine nuts and cooled asparagus. Toss to combine, then season again with salt and pepper and extra lemon juice if you want some additional zing. You also can add a few pinches of dried red pepper, if desired,

Serve warm, chilled or at room temperature.

Serves 2, with leftovers.

— Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette

Fresh Strawberry Mousse

PG tested

This seasonal, three-ingredient dessert comes together in less than 10 minutes. It’s fresh and fantastic.

1-pound container of strawberries
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup whole whipping cream, cold

Rinse strawberries under running cold water, reserving 3 or 4 for garnish.

Slice remaining strawberries, then place in a blender or food processor along with the sugar. Process until it is a smooth puree.

Remove 1/2 cup of puree and set aside.

In a cold bowl, add cream and beat until stiff peaks form. (I used a KitchenAid mixer.) Gently (gently!) fold in remaining puree.

Divide reserved 1/2 cup of puree between 4 small glasses or serving dishes. Spoon the strawberry mousse on top, then refrigerate for 1 hour or up to over night, if desired.

Top with reserved strawberries (sliced or halved) and serve.

Serves 4.

— Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette

©2025 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By Leah Fabel, Oona Zenda, KFF Health News

ST. PAUL, Minn. — High school senior Joshua Yang understands sacrifice. When he was midway through 10th grade, his mom survived a terrible car crash. But her body developed tremors, and she lost mobility. After countless appointments, doctors diagnosed her with Parkinson’s disease, saying it was likely triggered by brain injuries sustained in the wreck.

Related Articles

Benefits resource fair, claims clinic set for Ramsey County vets

Top RFK Jr. aide attacks US health system while running company that promotes wellness alternatives

Native Americans hurt by federal health cuts, despite RFK Jr.’s promises of protection

Georgia’s experience raises red flags for Medicaid work requirement moving through Congress

NIH scientists publish declaration criticizing Trump’s deep cuts in public health research

At 15, Yang, an aspiring baseball player and member of his school’s debate team, took on a new role: his mother’s caregiver.

Researchers estimate that Yang, now 18, counted among at least 5.4 million U.S. children who provide care to an adult in their home. As state officials eye federal Medicaid funding cuts that could drastically reduce home care services for those who are disabled or have chronic health conditions, many predict that number will rise.

That’s bad news for kids: Studies show that when young people take on care for adults with medical conditions, their health and academic outcomes decline. At the same time, their loved ones receive untrained care.

“It all fell to me,” said Yang, whose sisters were 9 and 10 at the time of their mom’s accident, and whose stepdad worked nights. His grades fell and he quit after-school activities, he said, unable to spare the time.

Early on, Yang found reprieve from a personal care nurse who gave them supplies, such as adult diapers, and advice on items to purchase, such as a chair for the shower. And for about a year, Yang was able to work for a personal care agency and earn $1,000 a month caring for his mom — money that went toward her medication and family needs.

But at the beginning of 11th grade, a change to his mom’s insurance ended her personal care benefit, sending him into a runaround with his county’s Medicaid office in Minnesota. “For a solid month I was on my phone, on hold, in the back of the class, waiting for the ‘hello,’” he said. “I’d be in third period, saying, ‘Mr. Stepan, can I step out?’”

A report published in May by the U.S. Government Accountability Office reminded states that National Family Caregiver Support Program grants can be used to assist caregivers under 18. However, the future of those grants remains unclear: They are funded through the Older Americans Act, which is awaiting reauthorization; and the Administration for Community Living, which oversees the grants, was nearly halved in April as part of the reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump.

Additionally, if Congress approves proposed cuts to Medicaid, one of the first casualties likely will be states’ home- and community-based service programs that provide critical financial relief to family caregivers, said Andrew Olenski, an economist at Lehigh University specializing in long-term health care.

Such programs, which differ by state but are paid for with federal dollars, are designed to ensure that Medicaid-eligible people in need of long-term care can continue living at home by covering in-home personal and nursing care. In 2021, they served almost 5% of all Medicaid participants, costing about $158 billion.

By law, Medicaid is required to cover necessary long-term care in a nursing home setting but not all home or community care programs. So, if states are forced to make cuts, those programs are vulnerable to being scaled back or eliminated.

If an aide who makes daily home visits, for example, is no longer an option, family caregivers could step in, Olenski said. But he pointed out that not all patients have adult children to care for them, and not all adult children can afford to step away from the workforce. And that could put more pressure on any kids at home.

“These things tend to roll downhill,” Olenski said.

Some studies show benefits to young people who step into caregiving roles, such as more self-confidence and improved family relationships. Yang said he feels more on top of things than his peers: “I have friends worrying about how to land a job interview, while I’ve already applied to seven or eight other jobs.”

But for many, the cost is steep. Young caregivers report more depression, anxiety, and stress than their peers. Their physical health tends to be worse, too, related to diet and lack of attention to their own care. And caregiving often becomes a significant drag on their education: A large study found that 15- to 18-year-old caregivers spent, on average, 42 fewer minutes per day on educational activities and 31 fewer minutes in class than their peers.

Schools in several states are taking notice. In Colorado, a statewide survey recently included its first question about caregiving and found that more than 12% of high schoolers provide care for someone in their home who is chronically ill, elderly, or disabled.

Rhode Island’s education department now requires every middle and high school to craft a policy to support caregiving students after a study published in 2023 found 29% of middle and high school students report caring for a younger or older family member for part of the day, and 7% said the role takes up most of their day. Rates were higher for Hispanic, Asian, and Black students than their white peers.

The results floored Lindsey Tavares, principal of Apprenticeship Exploration School, a charter high school in Cranston. Just under half her students identified as caregivers, she said. That awareness has changed conversations when students’ grades slip or the kids stop showing up on time or at all.

“We know now that this is a question we should be asking directly,” she said.

Students have shared stories of staying home to care for an ill sibling when a parent needs to work, missing school to translate doctors’ appointments, or working nights to pitch in financially, she said. Tavares and her team see it as their job to find an approach to help students persist. That might look like connecting the student to resources outside the school, offering mental health support, or working with a teacher to keep a student caught up.

“We can’t always solve their problem,” Tavares said. “But we can be really realistic about how we can get that student to finish high school.”

Rhode Island officials believe their state is the first to officially support caregiving students — work they’re doing in partnership with the Florida-based American Association for Caregiving Youth. In 2006, the association formed the Caregiving Youth Project, which works with schools to provide eligible students with peer group support, medical care training, overnight summer camp, and specialists tuned in to each student’s specific needs. This school year, more than 700 middle and high school students took part.

“For kids, it’s important for them to know they’re not alone,” said Julia Belkowitz, a pediatrician and an associate professor at the University of Miami who has studied student caregivers. “And for the rest of us, it’s important, as we consider policies, to know who’s really doing this work.”

In St. Paul, Joshua Yang had hoped to study civil engineering at the University of Minnesota, but decided instead to attend community college in the fall, where his schedule will make it simpler to continue living at home and caring for his mom.

But he sees some respite on the horizon as his sisters, now 12 and 13, prepare to take on a greater share of the caregiving. They’re “actual people” now with personalities and a sense of responsibility, he said with a laugh.

“It’s like, we all know that we’re the most meaningful people in our mom’s life, so let’s all help out,” he said.

©2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

With limited capacity to investigate brokers and fines for offenses relatively low, the city will depend on renters to be proactive in reporting violations of the new law. “There’s this element of vigilantism that will be able to take place here, when it comes to holding these landlords and brokers accountable,” said Councilmember Chi Ossé.

Councilmember Chi Ossé Holds at a rally in support of his broker fee bill in June. The Council’s Committee will vote on the legislation this Wednesday.

If you’re a renter sick of your shoebox apartment but too traumatized from the extra fees you paid to acquire it to search for somewhere else, today might be your day.

As the FARE Act goes into effect Wednesday, landlords can no longer stick you with the fees for real estate brokers you didn’t hire, a change estimated to save New Yorkers over 40 percent in average upfront costs to move apartments.

But with limited capacity to investigate brokers and fines for offenses relatively low, the city will depend on renters to be proactive in defending this newfound right.

“There’s this element of vigilantism that will be able to take place here, when it comes to holding these landlords and brokers accountable,” said District 36 Councilmember Chi Ossé, who introduced the bill as a tactic to give renters more leverage with their landlords. 

“Being that the forced broker fee will be eliminated, that’ll give more bargaining power to tenants when it comes to their re-lease signings because it might be cheaper for them to leave their current unit than to pay more,” he said.

If a broker asks a renter who didn’t hire them for a fee, whether it is advertised with the listing or mentioned later, they are now in violation of the FARE act. To actually eliminate these forced brokers fees, though, renters must be aware of the law and the options they have to report violations of it, which is why Ossé is seeking funds in next year’s budget to raise public awareness.

The easiest action renters can take is to file a complaint with the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), which you can do through the consumer complaints page on the agency’s website. That involves answering basic questions about the violation, and it can be completed anonymously. Brokers found to be breaking the law will be forced to pay a maximum fine of $2,000 to the city and return fees illegally collected from tenants.

But with broker fees usually standing at one month’s rent, and the average monthly rent in New York being almost $4,000, the fine itself might not be a sufficient deterrent.

Renters can also sue individually and get an injunctive relief, in which case a judge could force a broker to stop illegally charging fees. 

And to ensure that the agent doesn’t unleash this practice on another unassuming renter, tenants can file a complaint with the New York Department of State’s Division of Licensing Services. This option can result in penalties against the broker’s license that could lead to its eventual suspension.

Outside of this, the DCWP will monitor listings to protect New Yorkers from blatant non-compliance.

“The enforcement of the FARE Act will consist of DCWP staff conducting reviews of popular online listing sites, like StreetEasy, Zillow, etc., while also relying on complaints from the public,” said a DCWP spokesperson over email.

Ossé introduced the FARE ACT in 2023 to end a practice that is not the norm in other parts of the country, and which advocates say exploited the city’s severe housing shortage. The bill failed the first time after former Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez, who chaired the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection, declined to bring it up for a vote following an agreement with the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), a powerful trade group representing real estate brokers. 

But the following year, with a new committee chair, Ossé reintroduced the bill with an even bigger coalition to help push his largely social media-oriented campaign and garner widespread press coverage. Among the supporters were labor groups like the New York Central Labor Council, progressive elected officials like Comptroller Brad Lander, and real estate companies like the listing website Streeteasy.

The bill passed last November and was enacted 30 days later after Mayor Eric Adams refused to sign it, concerned about how it would impact New York’s housing market.

“Based on data, I just don’t see a monumental shift in the market for brokers and landlords,” said Kenny Lee, senior economist at Streeteasy who authored a report on the bill’s expected impact. “Renters after the FARE act will be able to understand the true cost of a rental a lot faster than the status quo, and that will make it a lot easier for property managers, as well as brokers, to connect with qualified tenants for their vacant units.”

Even with the bill going into effect Wednesday, REBNY is holding firm in its fight against it, arguing rents will soar as owners pass the cost along to tenants, and that brokers will lose their jobs. Lee’s study found that significant cost increases are unlikely, and that previous apartments that eliminated brokers fees increased rents by less than 1 percent above market trends.

REBNY filed a lawsuit alleging the FARE act violates the U.S. Constitution and New York State statutes. The state disagreed with the notion that it violates their laws, but brokers are still awaiting a decision from the court. Yesterday, a judge denied their attempt to pause the law’s implementation as the lawsuit plays out. 

“We are confident that the Court will agree with us,” said a spokesperson for REBNY.

Until that happens, the organization is warning brokers to ensure tenants don’t incur costs the law prohibits. “We strongly advise being overly inclusive concerning any landlord-imposed fees that the tenant may encounter during the tenancy,” the group said in a letter to their members.

Regardless of the ruling, the FARE act is certain to change the real estate brokerage industry. Many brokers work on non-exclusive agreements, meaning anyone with a license can list the apartment and collect their commission later from the person they rent it to. It is unclear how landlords and brokers will renegotiate this model.

The number of rentals on the market without broker fees was already increasing anyway, as many new developments handle leasing directly. The Streeteasy report, based on an analysis of units listed between January and April, found that over half of the apartments that didn’t charge fees still used agents to help them find tenants, indicating that the industry will not be completely eliminated.

“Some brokers who are very professional, who have great clients and help people find the homes they’re looking for, will stay in business,” said Ossé. “I think a lot of people who maybe have seen this business as a get rich quick scheme may have a harder time.”

To reach the reporter behind this story, contact Tareq@citylimits.org. To reach the editor, contact Jeanmarie@citylimits.org

Want to republish this story? Find City Limits’ reprint policy here.

The post What Renters Should Know As NYC’s Broker Fees Ban Kicks In appeared first on City Limits.

Hutchinson has ensured there will be a new Class 3A state baseball champion.

A fielding error allowed two Tigers to score in a three-run fifth inning and seventh-seeded Hutchinson beat No. 2 Totino-Grace 5-3 Wednesday at the Mini Met in Jordan.

“We didn’t think it was an upset at all. We thought that the seven seed was not right for us,” said Hudson Lien, who drove in two runs and earned the save.

Battling a sore hip, Larkun Kurth deftly maneuvered his way through six innings, and Brady Larson had three of Hutchinson’s eight hits.

“I think we knew we were the better team and weren’t going to lose,” Kurth said.

Up next for Hutchinson (18-9), which was seeded fifth in its section and won four elimination games to make state, is a noon Thursday semifinal against Mahtomedi or Simley.

No current Tigers were born the last time Hutchinson was in the tournament. That was 2006. The school’s only other appearance was 1960.

Kellen Westphal had a couple of hits, and Tommy Heifort struck out nine in five innings for Totino-Grace (20-8).

However, the defending state champion committed a couple of fielding errors and made a pair of costly base-running blunders. Three of Hutchinson’s runs were unearned, including a pair in the fifth.

Alex Flores led off with a double, advanced to third two batters later on a Larson single and scored on a Lien rap. Larson and Lien scored with two outs on a booted ground ball.

“Sometimes things kind of work for you, sometimes they don’t. It’s a funny game,” Totino-Grace coach Mike Smith said.

Hutchinson scored in each of the first two innings — including on a wild pitch — and Totino-Grace scored once in the second through fourth innings for a 3-2 lead.

Twice in the first three innings, Totino-Grace ran out of a potential big inning. A runner was thrown out at the plate on a botched pickoff at third base in the second, and a player Smith called “a super-aggressive kid” was thrown out at second trying to extend a single after a throw from the outfield tried to get a runner at third base.

“There’s a couple things that were head-scratchers, but that happens most games. There’s some things that you go, ‘I wonder why that happened.’ Things were a little more important today,” Smith said.