First of the Month Recipe - Tomato and Pesto Pasta
I went to sleep last night and it was January, I woke up in June. How is it possible we are already in the sixth month of 2008? With the sweet scent of gardenias and the chit chat of fluttering birds, I am not surprised summer is here, and with that we have the First of the Month Recipe.
Peppe’s cucina has been featured twice since beginning this monthly recipe ritual, and one could think I don’t cook … but, don’t. Come back Friday for my addition to La Buona Cucina Americana.
But first
Tomato and Pesto Pasta
Between the B&B, writing deadlines, and long phone calls home, who has time to spend hours in the kitchen? We don’t! That’s why easy peasy pasta is a MUST around casa mia. Peppe saw this recipe on a cooking show last week and he quickly whipped it up for us so we could share it with YOU today. This recipe makes enough for two people, or one really hungry Italian.
Ingredients:
>> 1/2 pound spaghetti pasta
>> Olive oil
>> Garlic (one clove)
>> * Pesto (6 tablespoons)
>> Cherry tomatoes (about 15)
* We used our favorite store bought pesto. You can certainly make your own, but that would take the “easy” out of easy peasy.
Directions:
1. Prepare spaghetti in salted water according to directions on the box
2. Lightly brown garlic in hot olive oil
3. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and add to the garlic and olive oil
4. Cook tomatoes lightly (no more than 5 minutes)
5. Place the pesto into the bottom of each plate
6. When pasta is al dente, add to the tomatoes
7. Pour the pasta over the pesto and stir well
Buon Appetito!
13 responses to “First of the Month Recipe - Tomato and Pesto Pasta”
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:24 am
Sounds delish! It sounds super simple and easy. I just wish I enjoyed cooked tomatoes like that.
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 am
Mmm…can’t wait until we have enough basil to make homemade pesto (and then freeze some so that the second time around it’s easy peasy to make this)
If you don’t have pesto in the house, just throw in a few basil leaves instead…*so* fast and easy!
Great summer dish, thanks
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:34 am
Great flavours and you’re right about the easy peasy part!!! I like freezing pesto in an ice cube tray for easy portioning!
June 2nd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Looks yummy.
June 2nd, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I love that you can make a big batch of pesto and freeze it to use it when you are in a pinch. This recipe is so easy and yet it packs SO much flavor!! YUMMY!!!
June 2nd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
yum. i have like 12 basil plants that are starting to produce like mad, i’ll have to find a great pesto recipe to make for this. and freeze some like michelle and joanne do.
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I actually make this alot! So easy and super tasty. And I always have pesto and tomatos on hand.
On another note, I recently marinated chicken with pesto for a day, then coated it in bread crumbs and baked it…YUM! It would be great pan fried, too!
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Looks wonderful! Will try it this weekend.
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Cherrye,
I am soooo making this receipe the night before I leave for Florence, that is tomorrow night. Ciao bella!
bacio!
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 am
Yum! I love the taste of roasted cherry tomatoes, so I’ll try it with those
Thanks…and it is e-a-s-y !! I love Joanne’s ice cube trick too 
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:04 am
LA Gal - why don’t you try it with fresh tomatoes instead? I bet it would be good that way, too.
Michelle, I can’t wait to get more basil either. Ours are growing, but not FAST ENOUGH!!! I’m gonna make some pesto this year, too.
Joanne - great tip. Thanks!!
It is yummy, Nadine. Try it and let me know.
I know, Lulu! Pesto is one of my favs.
Andrea, let me know which recipe you use. I’ll be looking for one, too!
Geggie - YUM! Seriously that sounds wonderful.
Great Jan. Let me know what you think!
Katie - woo hoo! Welcome back.
I love EASY, Robin. Especially when it involves different flavors!
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I ended up having this for dinner last night! Yum!
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:01 pm
that looks delicious… thanks for the recipe Cherrye
Whatcha thinking?