Hot Pasta and Fresh Tomatoes

I have an abundance of cherry tomatoes right now so when I saw this recipe I had to try it. I made it Sunday for a pot luck and it worked beautifully. I did change it a little to adapt to ingredients I could find in a small town and the way I was having to transport it and serve.

Hot Pasta and Fresh Tomatoes

3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved and quartered

1 shallot   I used a small amount of diced purple onion

1 garlic clove minced

3 tbsp olive oil or more to taste

1/3 cup pitted Nicoise olives I used just pitted canned black olives

6 basil leaves torn or slivered

sea salt and black pepper

1/2 lb small shelled shaped pasta

a few drops balsalmic vinegar  optional

Start the water for the pasta and while that is heating mix tomatoes in a large with shallot, garlic, olive oil,olives, and basil. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook pasta in boiling water then drain shake off excess water and add hot pasta to tomatoes and toss. Taste for salt and peper add balsalmic vinegar if you want.

For a potluck right after church and I couldn't do exactly as the directions wanted. I mixed the tomatoes, garlic, olives, basil and onion together and put in a small container. I cooked the pasta and put in a big bowl. And I brought along with us the oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper. After church I heated the cooked pasta in a microwave till warm and added the tomatoe mix, oil, and vinegar and tossed. Salt and peppered to taste. Worked well and it was well received. I will be making it again soon.

Have a Blessed Day

Erika