Just to be clear, I don’t even like tomatoes.  They taste fine, but I hate to chop them, I hate the clean up and it doesn’t seem worth the hassle for something that tastes “fine”.  But this recipe may be a game changer.

Obviously it’s quick and easy and all that, but it tastes good to boot – cold or hot.  Eat it for dinner.  Eat it as a side salad.  Take it on a picnic or a potluck.  Everyone will thank you.

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 Large Garlic Cloves, Finely Chopped
• 3/4 Teaspoon of Salt
• 1 Small Basket of Small Cherry Tomatoes
• 3/4 Pound of Shell Pasta (about 3/4 of a box)
• 1/2 Cup of Chopped Fresh Basil
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

Method

Step 1

Combine OIL, GARLIC and SALT into a bowl and mix.

Step 2

Chop 1 CUP TOMATOES and add to the bowl. Cut the rest of the TOMATOES into halves and add to the bowl and mix.

Step 3

Let this mixture sit for 30 minutes (20 minutes if your impatient like me), stirring occasionally. Meanwhile cook the pasta and drain. Save 1/2 CUP of PASTA WATER.

Step 4

Mix the PASTA with the TOMATO MIXTURE and stir. Add in the BASIL and a little of the PASTA WATER if you'd like the mixture to be a little softer.

Step 5

Add SALT and PEPPER to taste, garnish with more basil if desired, and serve hot or cold.