Orecchiette With Mascarpone, Basil and Tomatoes
(from MethodicalImprov’s recipe box)
Source: Brandy Fernow (Linda's gift)
Serves 8 peopleCategories: main course, pasta, vegetables
Ingredients
- Mascarpone Sauce:
- 1 c mascarpone cheese
- 1/4 c Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2/4 packed basil leaves, coarsely chopped, separated in to 2 halves
- 1 large garlic clove, smashed
- 3 T extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 t lemon zest
- 1 t lemon juice
- 1 1/2 t salt
- 1/4 t red chili flakes
- 3/4 t pepper
- Optional:
- Add zuchinni and squash or mushrooms
- Pasta:
- 1 1/2 t salt
- 1 lb orecchiette pasta
- 2 lbs large Roma/ plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
- 1/4 c pine nuts, toasted.
Directions
-
Mascarpone Sauce:
-
In a food processor, combine mascarpone, Parmesan, half of the basil, garlic and half of the olive oil.
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Add lemon zest, juice, salt, chili flakes and black pepper.
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Puree until smooth. Add the remaining basil and pulse just until chopped.
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Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the orecchiette- al dente, 10 min
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Finish and Serve: Transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the mascarpone mixture. Add the tomatoes and the remaining olive oil. Let sit for 1 minute, toss again and serve garnished with pine nuts.