Pan Cooked Summer Squash With Tomatoes And Basil Recipes

SUMMER SQUASH RIBBONS WITH CHERRY TOMATOES AND MINT/BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, cut squash into lengthwise ribbons. Peel off several ribbons from one side, then turn squash and peel off more ribbons. Continue to turn and peel off ribbons until you get to the seeds at the core of the squash. Discard core. You can also do this on a mandolin, adjusted to a very thin slice.
• Cook squash strips and tomatoes in 2 batches. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and when it is hot, add squash ribbons, half the garlic, tomatoes, and salt to taste. Cook, using tongs to toss and stir squash and cherry tomatoes, for 2 to 3 minutes, until squash has softened and is beginning to become translucent and tomatoes are beginning to shrivel. Adjust salt and add freshly ground pepper to taste, and transfer to a serving dish. Repeat with remaining olive oil, squash, cherry tomatoes and garlic. Return first batch to the pan, stir everything together, heat through and transfer again to the serving bowl or individual plates. Pour any juices in the pan over squash. Top each serving with a spoonful of pesto (about a tablespoon), and serve, with additional freshly grated Parmesan if desired.

PAN-COOKED SUMMER SQUASH WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat in a wide, heavy skillet. Add the zucchini. Cook, stirring or shaking the pan, until the zucchini is lightly seared and beginning to soften, three to five minutes. Remove from the pan, and set aside.
• Add the remaining olive oil to the pan, then the garlic. Cook, stirring, just until fragrant -- less than 30 seconds. Stir in the tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until the tomatoes have begun to cook down, about five minutes. Return the zucchini to the pan, add salt and pepper to taste, and reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until the zucchini is tender and translucent and the tomatoes have cooked down to a fragrant sauce. Stir in the basil, and taste and adjust seasonings. Remove from the heat and serve hot, or allow to cool and serve at room temperature.

PORK TENDERLOIN WITH SQUASH, TOMATO AND BASIL

Steps:

• Tie off tenderloin and sear on all sides in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over very high heat. Add butter, thyme, garlic, and bay leaf, and cook until ingredients are caramelized. Baste tenderloin and continue to cook until it reaches an internal medium temperature 140 degrees F. Allow to rest for at least ten minutes before serving.
• Thinly shave the remaining squash on a mandolin, and season with salt, lemon juice and zest, and extra virgin olive oil. Combine with cherry tomatoes and basil.
• Oblique three quarters of the summer squash and sear in a dry 8-inch saute pan over very high heat with the padron peppers. When the peppers begin to "dance" add the remaining teaspoon of olive oil, and continue to cook while shaking the pan, until the ingredients begin to blister. Remove from pan and season with salt and lemon juice and zest to taste.
• Slice the tenderloin into 1/4-inch pieces. Evenly distribute the sauteed squash and peppers onto four plates, and place pork slices on top. Garnish with the squash-tomato-basil mixture and toasted pine nuts.

SAUTEED SUMMER SQUASH WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Cut the squash in thick slices. Heat the oil in a large skillet and saute the squash over high heat so that it is golden brown on both sides, but not overcooked. It should still be slightly crunchy. Remove with a slotted spoon as the pieces are cooked and place them in a serving bowl.
• Add the garlic to skillet, cook until golden. Add with oil left in pan to the squash. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with basil and toss. Serve hot or at room temperature.