Pasta with Cherry tomatoes and Basil.

When I have cherry tomatoes in the house, I am always tempted to make two things. One is this pasta with cherry tomatoes and the other is my Mozzarella and cherry tomato salad.

I love this recipe because of the flavors - The sweetness from the onions and cherry tomatoes, infused with the scent of garlic, the nutty flavor of the Parmesan cheese and the freshness of the Basic. You can't really resist.

This is a simple quick dish that takes about 20 minutes to put together once you have the ingredients.
Now, I'm not Italian, nor do I attempt to make authentic Italian food. I'm driven only by my taste buds.  So if your sensitive about being authentic, this is not the recipe for you. Nevertheless, try it out and you might just love it.



Serves 2

Here's what you'll need:

1 med onion - (I prefer red onion for the sweetness)
400 grams cherry tomatoes
2 sprigs fresh Basil
1 large or 2 med Garlic
2 tbsp Parmesan - grated
2 tbsp Olive oil (use good quality olive oil - it does make a difference)
300 grams Pasta - Penne or Spaghetti.  

Method:

Chop the garlic into slices and the onions fine.

Cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
The Cherry tomatoes today I have are not really as red as I usually get them but I didn't pick these at the grocer myself.
They came prepacked with my box of organic produce. Not red but definitely tasty.

Simultaneously - place a pot of boiling water with salt to cook your pasta.
Cook the pasta as per packet directions. Drain and set aside when ready.

Add olive oil to a skillet, add in the sliced garlic and turn the heat on med low.
Heating the garlic in cold oil will enhance the flavor of the garlic in the oil

 Cook for about two minutes on medium low. You do not want garlic to burn as it will taste bitter.

 See here the garlic is boiling but not brown.

Add in the chopped onions.

Saute for about two minutes.

 Throw in your cherry tomatoes. Saute on medium low. 

 Cook for about five minutes. You want the tomatoes to soften up but not disintegrate.
For me this is just perfect.

Chop your basil with a pair of scissors right into the pan, add the Parmesan.

Switch the flame off. Stir well  

 and throw in the pasta.

That's it.. Instant Pasta with cherry tomatoes.
Enjoy your meal. 

Thanks for stopping by.