Summer Penne

Summer Penne

Preparation: 30- 40 minutes

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

1lb. of Pasta (Penne)

2 cloves of garlic

1 small onion

4 tbsp. of olive oil

2 medium ripe tomatoes

2 small zucchini

5/6 basil leaves

Salt

Pepper

-Heat up a large skillet and add olive oil, lower heat( med/ low) then add 2 cloves of thinly chopped garlic and chopped onions then saute' till onions are tender. Meanwhile dice tomatoes and zucchini into small cubes, when onions are tender add the tomatoes and zucchini into the skillet. Then add salt and pepper. Saute' for about 10 minutes on medium-low heat, till zucchini are fork tender.

Let sauce rest and cool down. ( This sauce can be served warm , though I recommend it to be room temperature, which is ideal for summer)

- Bring a large pot of water to boil, add salt to water prior to water boiling. Add 1lb of pasta (penne) and cook for about 8-10 minutes till pasta is "AL Dente".

Drain Pasta ( set aside about 1/2 cup of pasta water....you will need it to add to the summer sauce you've previously prepared).

Place pasta in a large serving bowl, meanwhile add the 1/2 cup of pasta water to the summer sauce and then stir. Top the pasta with summer sauce and chopped basil leaves. Mix all together.Garnish with s few basil leaves. Serve at room temperature.

You can make this recipe hours in advance though I don't recommend to place the pasta in refrigerator, room temperature is just fine. If you wish to make this recipe a day in advance...go ahead.... just remember,once it cools down at room temp. to put it in the refrigerator. If you are planning on serving it the next day, remember to remove from refrigerator a few hours before serving.I

hope you all enjoy my refreshing and Delicious summer penne recipe.

Buon Appetit!

Images courtesy Google

Orzo and Peas Side Dish

This is a recipe I whipped up last night for dinner as a side dish to pork roast. Its simple, easy and delicious.



Preparation: 30 minutes
Serves: 4-5


Ingredients:

• 8 oz. of orzo pasta ( little bow ties will do just fine)



• 1 small box of frozen garden peas ( 8 oz.)



• 2 tablespoons of olive oil



• 1/2 sliced and diced onion



• parmesan cheese



• salt and pepper
  
  

Bring a small pot of water to boil for the pasta ( add salt the pasta water before water boils). While you are waiting for the water to boil, heat up a medium size skillet. Add 2 tablespoons of Olive oil and diced onion, then add frozen peas, salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup of water , cover the pot and let cook for about 15 minutes in low- medium heat. Add the orzo to the boiling water and let orzo cook for about 10- 12 minutes. Once orzo is cooked, drain the pasta and stir into to the cooked peas in the skillet. Remove the skillet from the heat, add lots of Parmesan cheese, then stir and serve.

Buon Appetit!