SUMMER TOMATO PASTA RECIPE

SUMMER TOMATO PASTA

Ingredients for Summer Tomato Pasta
* 275 g/10 oz/2 1/4 cups dried penne
* 450 g/1 lb plum tomatoes
* 275 g/10 oz mozzarella, drained (preferably buffalo mozzarella)
* 60 ml/4 tbsp olive oil
* 15 ml/ 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
* Grated rind and juice of 1 lemon
* 15 fresh basil leaves, shredded
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* Fresh basil leaves, to garnish

How to Cook Summer Tomato Pasta
1. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water, according to the package instructions, until just tender.
2. Quarter the tomatoes and remove the seeds, then chop the flesh into small cubes.
3. Slice up the mozzarella into similarly sized pieces.
4. Mix together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, grated lemon rind, 15 ml/I tbsp of the lemon juice and the basil.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add the tomatoes and mozzarella and leave to stand until the pasta is cooked.
7. Drain the pasta and toss with the tomato mixture. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves.

PASTA DOUGH RECIPE

PASTA DOUGH

Ingredients for Pasta Dough

* 8 eggs

* 2 tsp. salt

* 4 cups all purpose flour

How to Cook Pasta Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine eggs & salt. Beat well.

2. Add flour, 1 cup at a time until dough sticks together but is still soft.

3. Spread flour on a board, knead dough for 15−20 minutes.

4. Cover and let stand in a warm place for about 1 hour.

5. Knead for another 5 minutes.

6. Flatten small amounts of dough to form a 2" x 2" square.

7. Coat square in flour and repeatedly run through pasta machine until desired thickness is obtained, or use rolling pin.

8. Cut paste shape using pasta machine or slice desired shape by hand.

9. Lay out cut pasta on table covered with a table cloth until dry.

10. Pack in plastic bags and store in a cool place.

11. Cook pasta in boiling salted water until tender.

12. Homemade pasta usually takes less time to cook.

13. Top with your favorite sauce.

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD RECIPE

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD 

Ingredients for Chicken Pasta Salad

* 2 boneless chicken breasts

* 3/4 cup steak sauce

* 1 (12 ounce) package fussili or bowtie pasta

* 2 chicken bouillon cubes

* 1 medium Vidalia onion, diced

* 2 avocados, peeled and diced

* 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

* 1 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing

How to Cook Chicken Pasta Salad

1. Marinate chicken breasts in steak sauce for 15 to 60 minutes.

2. Grill until done and chop into bite−size pieces.

3. In a large pot of boiling water, add the bouillon cubes and cook pasta until al dente.

4. Drain and rinse under cold water.

5. In a large bowl, combine chicken, pasta, onion, avocados and tomatoes.

6. Add salad dressing, mix and refrigerate until chilled.

7. Stir in additional salad dressing when ready to serve, if desired.