PASTA QUEST DAY...week 2...day 11

In tonight’s meal the sauce is replaced by a salad. The combination of the warm pasta and the room temperature salad makes for a pleasant experience. The basic salad consists of fresh tomatoes, celery, mozzarella, garlic, and onions, and may easily be enhanced by the addition of your favorite ingredients. I have served this with the addition of black olives, sausage, and bacon, individually, not in one meal.



5-12-11



Penne with fresh tomatoes, celery, and mozzarella

INGREDIENTS:

Penne, or other shaped pasta
Grape tomatoes cut in half
Celery
Fresh parsley, chopped
Mozzarella cheese cut in bite-sized pieces
Garlic, finely chopped
Onion, thinly sliced
Olive oil
Salt, pepper, basil and oregano
Fresh lemon juice
Ciabatta bread cut into ½ inch pieces



PROCESS:

Prepare the salad early so it can sit for about an hour before using. Mix all ingredients in bowl with 2-3 tablespoons of water and olive oil and allow to sit at room temperature.

Toast the bread in olive oil and butter and set aside.

Toss the salad with the pasta and top with the croutons and drizzle with olive oil.

COMMENTS:

Patience and I both give this a 10. I know, you’re wondering just how critical we are. I assure you we are both very difficult to please, so you can trust our grading. I must add…the ciabatta toasted in olive oil and butter were at least a 15!