Pamela Sherrid's Summer Pasta

   

Ingredients

  • 5large cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • ½ to 1cup of your favorite olive oil
  • 12basil leaves
  • 7large ripe tomatoes
  • Salt
  • 1pound dried rigatoni
  • 1pound fresh, lightly salted mozzarella
  • Country bread

Preparation

  1. Take out your largest bowl. Add the garlic. Pour in 1/2 cup olive oil. With scissors, snip the basil leaves into shreds over the garlic mixture. Let sit all day.
  2. About 2 hours before serving, chop the tomatoes and add them to the bowl.
  3. When you're ready to eat, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Meanwhile, cut the mozzarella into small cubes.
  4. Drain the pasta and pour it on top of the tomato mixture. Do not stir. Spread the mozzarella on top of the pasta and toss only the pasta and cheese; the cheese will soften slightly, and the pasta will get coated with fat. Then stir up from the bottom, incorporating the tomato mixture. Season with salt and add the remaining olive oil, if desired. Serve with bread.

By Amanda Hesser