posts may contain Amazon affiliate links, which earn me a small commission when you buy (but doesn't cost you anything extra). Occasionally I receive free products and/or run sponsored posts—this will always be stated clearly in the post. Thank you for supporting this blog.

This website contains some quotations, excerpts, and screen clips from copyrighted material. These uses fall well within the copyright doctrine of "Fair Use".
Thursday, July 9, 2009

Gorgeous Summer Pasta (Barefoot Style), thank you's and HOORAY for working computers!

MY COMPUTER IS CURED! A little hands-on action is all it took. Whew...hopefully I don't have to go through that again anytime soon. I suppose it's just time for me to admit that I have an addiction. I was definitely feeling symptoms of withdrawal. Think it's time to reevaluate...limit my computer time, if you will...take a step back and pick and choose a bit more...think I can do it? I'm not so sure. Surely my butt (and anyone walking behind it) will thank me. But I'm not going away...nope...not getting rid of me that easily. Just practicing moderation is all. I may take a few days and schedule a few posts to run automatically...that should help. But, I digress. I have my computer back, and for that I am extremely happy! Today is another Barefoot Bloggers day! This week's dish was chosen by Delta Whiskey...and it was a perfect choice for this steamy summer weather we've got going on around here. (One of those digital signs at the library said 105 degrees today. Yuck.) This lovely pasta (salad. I'm calling it pasta salad. I ate it all cold, so I say pasta salad.) combined tomatoes in two forms, fresh basil, olives and mozzarella. Yay! Another opportunity for me to use homemade mozzarella. I have to say I've become quite the mozzarella maven. I cannot stop making it! It's so easy and I LOVE it!!

Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes

by Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa

serves: 6-8

1/2 lb. fusilli

salt

olive oil

1 lb. fresh tomatoes, medium-dice

3/4 c. black olives, such as kalamata, pitted & diced

1 lb. fresh mozzarella, diced

6 sun dried tomatoes in olive oil, drain & chop I used plain, not oil packed

DRESSING:

5 sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained again, I used plain

2 Tbs. red wine vinegar

6 Tbs. Olive Oil

1 garlic clove

1 tsp. capers, drained

2 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

plus:

1 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 c. basil julienned

Cook pasta until al dente, drain. Put all of your diced ingredients in bowl. Put all dressing ingredients in food processor and blend until almost smooth.

Combine pasta and other ingredients in bowl. Pour dressing over.

Toss to combine.

Next, julienne (or chiffonade) your basil. (Chiffonading Basil, quick tutorial: Stack basil leaves. Roll lengthwise, like rolling a cigarette, cigar, silly cig, you get the point. Slice thinly across the roll while holding it. Sorry, I can't cut and take picture at same time, so I had to stop to show you progress. Fluff out the shreds and voila! You have just chiffonaded your basil!)

Place basil and freshly grated Parmesan in bowl with rest of ingredients.

Toss everything until combined. Serve!

Good, huh?! Be sure to head over to see what the other Barefoot Bloggers did with this recipe (click on link above)! I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank a few awesome ladies who have recently passed some awards on to me. First off, the lovely Krista from Krista's Kitchen awarded me with this You're an Extraordinary & Awesome Blogger Award. Awwwww, shucks. Thanks Krista...I think you rock, too :) And many, many thanks to both Rachel from Rachel vs. "the Kitchen" and Katherine from Smokey Mountain Cafe for passing this Kreativ Blogger award to me. How cool! I get joy and inspiration for reading both of your blogs and am very grateful to have received this award from the both of you! Now go visit these 3 ladies and see their amazing blogs!
***ALSO REMEMBER....Saturday the 11th is the last day to enter my CupCakey giveaway***

Would you like to comment?

  1. Well now just wait one cotton-pickin' minute!!! You can't tease us by raving about your homemade mozzerella and then leave without sharing your secret!!!

    My head is spinning at the thought of making my own cheese. Do you understand mama, that pasta and cheese have been my two greatest loves since I was in the womb?!? I can't go a day without having one or the other, and most days they are combined ;) Spill the beans!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad your computer is cured. :) I hate when they get sick.
    Your pasta salad looks delicious... perfect for 100+ degree days. We've had lots of them around here.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I kind of know what you mean about addiction, as Farm Town has me all wrapped up, lol, I love me some pasta, and this reminds me...time to go cook some for dinner!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yum, I have been seeing these all day today. I would definitely eat it cold too, especially if it was 105! We are having nice, springlike temps this week, thank goodness.

    ReplyDelete
  5. SO GLAD YOU ARE BACK! THIS LOOKS AMAZING!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful summery pasta :) I have a love affair with sundried tomatoes :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nothing beats pasta, right? I think I've said this before. Pasta makes the world go round. LOL.

    Glad you computer is fixed. I'd go crazy if something were to happen to mine. Knock on wood nothing does happen.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh, so glad to hear your computer is back in business. It's total suckage when we have to withdraw like that, hey?

    The pasta looks wicked!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cool dish - I love sun dreid tomatoes and I think they make a dish extra special.

    Glad you have your computer operational again...and thanks as always for your comments at my place!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great pictures! We really enjoyed this recipe, too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I can't imagine life without computers.....thanks for the dressing recipe! I've made an Italian pasta salad before, but it always called for bottled dressing...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yay for computers! Welcome back. And double yays for Barefoot Bloggers and Barefoot Contessa - the pasta looks amazing. Love the flavors!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is just the kind of pasta recipe that I love... looks yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  14. The ingredients in the salad sound like perfection. Those flavors must meld together perfectly.

    Glad you have your computer back!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This looks really, really good- I love pasta and sun-dried tomatoes!
    Glad you are back and your computer is well!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This pasta salad dish looks lovely and perfect for summer. I know what you mean about addicting. Hard habit to break..

    ReplyDelete
  17. yum pasta with fresh herbs congrats on the much deserved awards

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm so glad your computer is better! I love this pasta! I can imagine how yummy it is with your home-made cheese.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I get sick when my computer gets sick..lol! Anyway glad yours is cured.

    I'd love to have some that pasta!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I really want to try this one, I love sun dried tomatoes!

    ReplyDelete
  21. You get my usual "YUM!" on this one! Welcome back! I understand the stepping back - I was amazed at how productive I was when I was without a computer for a little while. Blogging is so darn addicting!

    ReplyDelete
  22. You must share the mozzarella secret, wise one, or else we will sneak in at night and put 65 Garden Gnomes in your front yard. You wouldn't want to traumatize your neighbors like that, wouldja? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  23. ...kitchwitch...I just might ;) But if you click on the words HOMEMADE MOZZARELLA, you will be magically transported and my secret will be revealed :D I'm smiling just thinking of those sneaky little gnomes!

    ReplyDelete
  24. 105? Damn, that's hot. We haven't gotten much over 70 in the past month or so in Boston. I'd still like some of that pasta though. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yeah for the nonsick computer and for having you back! that same thing happened to me about 2 months ago and I realized also how much extra TIME I had on my hands - amazing, really
    went through the same thought process, wound back here in front of the computer
    only difference, is now
    I post when I feel like
    no late night,schedule it kinda stuff - more go with the flow
    Ohh and about that salad
    I LOVE that you make your own mozzarella - you, of course, ROCK!

    ReplyDelete
  26. So impressed with the homemade mozzarella--you are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your salad looks delicious and I just happen to have a lot of fresh basil growing, so it's a "go" for me. I'm glad your computer is fixed. I take objection to your saying you are alarmed that you are "addicted" to the computer. Of ALL of the things you could be addicted to...I think the computer is the least of anyones worries lol.

    ReplyDelete
  28. This lokks amazing and the homemade cheese sends it overthe top. welcome Back, life without the computer really isnt a life...lol

    ReplyDelete
  29. This recipe really packs some flavor punch! I'm saving this baby!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Good use of your homemade mozzarella! I'm glad your computer is cooperating now. Isn't it crazy that we just can't live without them? I'm so hooked on mine....Your pasta dish looks terrific and tasty. Perfect for a summer picnic or just to inhale on my own : )

    ReplyDelete
  31. Im so glad your computer is better! This salad rocks! I love sundried tomato

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm always on the lookout for "summery" pasta salad recipes! I love the addition of sun-dried tomatoes!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love this recipe.Check out the award I gave you on my blog:)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hooray the computer is fixed! The pasta looks awesome and just screams summer:)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Congratulations on your well deserved awards. It's good to have you back. The recipe and your photos of the steps in creating the dish are terrific. Have a good day.

    ReplyDelete
  36. This is just what I need-it's so inviting!!I'm just back from a vacation in Vegas and am still sick with the Vegas heat.Thankfully,it's not so hot out here,so I'm slowly getting back to normal :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. First off, Much love and congrats on your award. Second, SOOO happy that your computer is back. Third, this looks fab!! I saw your homemade cheese post, what a good way to use it!! ((((((((hugs))))))))

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi Heather,

    I mentioned your name on my blog today. Your blog inspires me and you are a fun blog friend. Thank-you for that!

    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  39. I know you already have this award, but I wanted to send it to you anyway! :-)
    Come by my blog and see the award I just nominated you for...and I've linked to your site!
    All the best, Amanda
    www.dosesofnourishment.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hooray for the computer! I am having major problems as well, which just makes life so interesting!! Love this recipe and congrats on the great awards!! How fun!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. This pasta looks right up my alley. My husband doesn't like sun dried tomatoes, so maybe I'd substitute grape or cherry tomatoes. Either way, I'd gobble it down.

    Glad your comp is fixed!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Yay for working computers! It's funny that you posted about feeling withdrawals because lately I've been feeling that way too. I'm trying now to just to my blogging stuff at night, but it's hard!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I know how frustrating one can feel when computer is down...
    I love sundried tomatoes....with cookies, bread, noodles, salad. (chewing some cookies baked with sundried tomatoes and cheese now...:-) )

    Angie's Recipes

    ReplyDelete
  44. Yum! That looks wicked good!! My family doesn't really like pasta salad... but I might make that anyway!

    ReplyDelete