Fresh Summer Tomato Pasta

Fresh Summer Tomato Pasta - great summer alternative heavy sauces.

I think we all know by now I LOVE pasta – it's part of being Italian I guess.  And what would a blog called the Singing Tomato without some tomato recipes every now and then.  I also LOVE tomato sauce but in the summer it is SO hot here in Nashville that to heat up the kitchen to make a batch of tomato sauce is just not in the cards.  We also DO NOT buy jarred sauce in this house.  No – no.  So what's a girl to do?

How about a pasta recipe where all you have to know how to do is boil water and only heat up the stove for like 15minutes rather than all day?  Then this impressive and pretty presenting tomato and pasta dish is for you!

Fresh tomatoes and basil over al dente pasta – it's great as a weeknight meatless meal – so inexpensive or if you are a veggie you will love.  However, if you have a carnivorous tendency that you just can't curb you can always toss in some grilled chicken.  Also since it's so pretty you can make it for guests and they will be impressed.  Here we go!

3 large red tomatoes – cut up into bite sized pieces

3 large yellow tomatoes – cut into bite sized pieces

1/2C extra virgin olive oil

2t minced garlic (fresh or from the jar)

2C fresh basil – wash then stack the leaves on top of each other and slice up so it looks like little shreds (if you don't grow basil already you should BUT if you can't you can get it at the grocery)

1/2t crushed red pepper

1 dash of salt

1lb thin spaghetti – cooked as directed

1. toss everything above together in a large mixing bowl.  Cover with a lid or plastic wrap.  Put it in the fridge for at least 30mins.  The longer you leave it in there the more the flavors will marry.

2. When you are ready to eat – take the tomatoes out and let come to room temperature.

3. Meanwhile, back at the stove, cook your pasta as directed and drain when done.

4. Toss the pasta with the tomato mixture and top with parmesan cheese.

5. You can add grilled chicken if you want.

I love this which a Vinho Verde – a bubbly not too sweet not to dry white wine from Portugal.  YUM!