Angel Hair Pasta With Summer Squash And Cherry Tomatoes Recipes

SUMMER GARDEN PASTA

Steps:

• Combine the cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, basil leaves, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature for about 4 hours.
• Just before you're ready to serve, bring a large pot of water with a splash of olive oil and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil and add the pasta. Cook al dente according to the directions on the package (be careful - it only takes 2 to 3 minutes!). Drain the pasta well and add to the bowl with the cherry tomatoes. Add the cheese and some extra fresh basil leaves and toss well. Serve in big bowls with extra cheese on each serving.

GRILLED SUMMER SQUASH AND TOMATOES WITH ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package, drain.
• In a medium bowl, combine squash, tomatoes, oil, garlic, salt, basil, and pepper.
• Set aside.
• Heat up grill (medium-high heat if you have temperature control, mine has just the one temperature setting).
• Grill the vegetables 3-5 minutes per side until they are slightly softened and browned (it takes more like 20 minutes total in my grill, so you may really need to experiment with cooking times).
• Remove from grill and allow to cool enough for you to handle.
• Cut the veggies into bite-sized pieces.
• Toss pasta and vegetables together in a large serving bowl.
• Top with cheese.

ANGEL HAIR PASTA WITH SQUASH

Steps:

• Put the water on to boil.
• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat.
• Peel the garlic cloves and smash lightly with the side of a knife to release some of the oils.
• Add the garlic to the oil.
• Wash and dry the zucchini.
• Cut off the ends and use a peeler to make zebra stripes down the length of the zucchini (leaving some of the skin adds flavor to the pan).
• Cut the zucchini crosswise into rounds a little less than 1/4-inch in thickness.
• When the garlic has browned lightly remove it from the pan and carefully add in the zucchini slices in one layer.
• Fry until a nice dark brown on one side.
• Use tongs or two forks to turn them over. When they are brown on the second side remove them to your serving bowl.
• Continue frying the zucchini in batches.
• By now the water should be boiling.
• Add the salt and then stir in the pasta.
• Once the water comes back to the boil the pasta will be done in a minute or so.
• Do not overcook; drain the pasta.
• Empty the oil from the skillet and pour in the drained pasta.
• Stir the pasta to coat with the oil and to pick up flavors from the bottom of the pan.
• Put the zucchini slices on top and then slide the whole thing back into your serving bowl.
• Serve with lots of grated Romano cheese.

ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES WITH ANGEL HAIR

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl until well mixed; spread on a shallow-sided baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tomatoes are soft and wrinkled, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook angel hair pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain; reserving a small amount of cooking water.
• Spoon tomatoes with their juices into a small saucepan; add basil and red pepper flakes. Mix in reserved cooking water to thin tomato mixture to desired consistency. Cook and stir over low heat until warmed, about 5 minutes; stir in pasta. Top with Parmesan cheese before serving.

BLUSHING ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, warm the olive oil and garlic over medium heat. Add a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons water. Simmer until the water cooks out and the garlic becomes tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste with 2 more tablespoons water and cook to "fry" the paste for a minute in the oil, stirring. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook over medium heat until they soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cream. Season with salt to taste. Keep warm.
• In a large pot, bring 4 quarts water to a rolling boil. Add a generous handful of salt. Bring the water back up to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring with a slotted spoon to make sure it does not clump or stick to the bottom, until al dente, 3 to 4 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid and drain the pasta in a large colander.
• Add the hot pasta right from the colander to the skillet and toss to coat with the cream. Shut the heat off and allow the pasta to rest for 2 minutes. If too thin, gently warm and reduce over low heat for 1 to 2 additional minutes. If it becomes too thick, simply thin it out with some of the reserved pasta cooking liquid. Serve topped with the cheese.