Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce

For some reason I was quite surprised that this was an uncooked (raw) tomato sauce, but oh, my goodness, it is fabulous! This is a great way to use up the last of your summer tomatoes. The recipe is from Martha Stewart. You can print it here.

Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce

2 1/4 pounds unrefrigerated ripe tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped garlic (from 2 garlic cloves)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound spaghetti
grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Finely chop tomatoes, basil, parsley, and garlic, and mix together with oil (or pulse ingredients, including oil, in a food processor to blend.)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente. Drain pasta, and toss it in a serving bowl with the raw sauce. Serve with cheese.

Tomato-Chicken Salad

This salad is perfect for late summer when all the vegetables and herbs are fresh from the garden. It was a big hit with my family--definitely a keeper. I found the recipe in Southern Living last year. You can print it here.

Tomato-Chicken Salad

Preheat grill to 400˚ to 450˚ (high) heat. Rub 6 (1-inch-thick) ciabatta or French bead baguette slices with a garlic clove; brush with extra virgin olive oil. Grill bread 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until toasted.

1 lemon
2 lb. assorted tomatoes, halved or chopped
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 large English cucumber, sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Grate zest from lemon to equal 2 tsp.; squeeze juice from lemon to equal 2 Tbsp. Combine lemon zest, juice, tomatoes, and next 8 ingredients in a large bowl. Let stand 10 minutes. Toss with crumbled feta just before serving.

Julie's Note: I toasted the ciabatta in the oven for a few minutes rather than on the grill.



  

Pasta with Beans

I cut this recipe out of Southern Living years ago. It was submitted by Karen C. Greenlee of Lawrenceville, Georgia. It's a nice meatless meal, and I love it.

Pasta with Beans

1 (15-ounce) can tomatoes, undrained
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh or 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
1 (16-ounce) can cannellini or white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Garnish: fresh basil sprigs

Drain tomatoes, reserving 1/4 cup liquid. Chop tomatoes.

Saute onion and next 5 ingredients in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until onion is tender. Add tomatoes, reserved liquid, salt, pepper, and if desired, sugar. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in beans; cover and simmer 10 minutes.

Toss cooked macaroni with butter; top with bean mixture, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with French bread. Garnish, if desired.

Yields: 4 servings

Julie's Notes:  I successfully found this recipe online. It's from October 1999 Southern Living. You can print it here.