Ina's Capellini with Tomatoes & Basil

 

Last week after an evening walk around the neighborhood with Hazel (our chocolate lab), John & I tried this quick & easy meal that I had spotted in the latest issue of House Beautiful. On their site, the caption for this recipe reads, "dinner in 15 minutes -- & you probably already have the ingredients already." Both statements rang true (we only lacked the basil leaves). Plus this recipe serves six, so if you don't alter it then you'll have plenty left over for lunch the next couple days (trust me, it's just as good reheated).

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Ingredients:

1/2 cup good olive oil, plus extra for the pasta pot

2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)

4 pints small cherry (or grape) tomatoes

18 large basil leaves (julienned)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

3/4 pound of dried capellini or angel hair pasta (*we used thin spaghetti; half regular & half whole wheat)

1 1/2 cups fresh grated parmesan

Extra chopped basil & parmesan for serving

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Instructions:

[1] Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add two tablespoons of salt & a splash of oil to the pot

[2] Meanwhile, heat the ½ cup of olive oil in a large (12-inch) sauté pan

Add the garlic to the oil and cook over medium heat for 30 seconds

Add the tomatoes, basil, parsley, thyme, two teaspoons salt, the pepper, & red pepper flakes

Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for five to seven minutes, tossing occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften but don't break up

[3] While the tomatoes are cooking, add the pasta to the pot of boiling water & cook for two minutes, or according to the directions on the package

Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water

[4] Place the pasta in a large serving bowl, add the tomatoes & Parmesan, & toss well

Add some of the pasta water if the pasta seems too dry

Serve large bowls of pasta with extra basil sprinkled on top & a big bowl of extra Parmesan on the side

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We're excited to try this recipe again with basil leaves in tow. These gadgets might help us keep some handy.

 Baby Grobal

Herb Snips

Herb Keeper 

[images: 1 house beautiful, 2 velocity art & design, 3 crate & barrel, 4 crate & barrel; recipe: ask the barefoot contessa]