Monday, May 30, 2011

mmmmm, mondays: bruschetta pasta

this is the standard go-to recipe in my home. it is easy to make, everyone likes it and it makes for fantastic left-overs. try it--you won't be disappointed.



i have two ways that i make it: one is lightening fast (i pretty much just throw together a bunch of pre-made goodies) and the other one takes a little more time, but is 30 minutes. tops.

here are the directions for both:


slower:


ingredients:

5 fresh, small vine tomatoes, diced

1 container of cherry or grape tomatoes, diced

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2-4 cloves mashed garlic (depends on how much you like garlic)

salt and pepper to taste

1 lb. your favorite pasta

1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella cheese packed in water, cut into small cubes OR 2 tubs of the small mozzarella balls (i like to cut them into halves or quarters, but you don't need to)

1 container fresh basil leaves, finely shredded





we are having some people over, so i am using 2 bags of penne (plus, i love having leftovers)


instructions:

cut the tomatoes into a small dice. drain them in a colander (you don't want all of the guts/seeds).

in a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and 3/4 of the chipped basil.

season with salt + pepper to taste.

let sit for 15 minutes to marry the flavors....or leave in the fridge overnight.

cook the pasta (as directed on the box/bag)

right before you serve it, add the pasta to the cheese and the basil to the tomato mixture and toss gently.

heaven.




lightening fast:


ingredients:

1 box/bag of pasta (you pick).

1 container of the trader joe's fresh bruschetta sauce, drained (you can find it in the refrigerated section near the cheeses and hummus).

2 containers of small mozzarella balls (use only one, if you are not a cheese fan).

1/2 container of fresh basil, slivered

salt + pepper to taste


directions:

boil water and add some salt to flavor the pasta. then add the pasta and cook as directed.

open mozzarella containers up, drain and set aside. cut up the basil, and set aside. drain the oil out of the bruschetta, and set aside.

as soon as you drain the pasta, add all the ingredients and serve immediately. the heat of the pasta will heat the sauce and cheese. add salt and pepper to taste.


**note: you can add grilled chicken or shrimp and it is yummy, too!**






hope this ends up to be one of your family's favorites too!




check out these fun cookbooks that use trader joe's items in their recipes:










2 comments:

  1. Oh man! You should be arrested for showing me this just before lunch! Now whatever my husband packed me just isnt going to be GOOD ENOUGH!

    I will be making this, this week for sure! Thanks for sharing!

    XO
    Tairalyn

    www.little-miss-mama.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. This sounds delicious! Thank you so much for sharing it. I can't wait to try it!

    ReplyDelete