Two Tomato Pasta with Mozzarella (and chx)

Tonight's Dinner!

Adapted from: The Italian Dish

Overall, the ingredient list is very simple....the directions...not going to lie...they take time...and a bunch of dishes...at least in my case they did...and it is not a recipe that can be thrown together after a long day at work...maybe made on the weekend and then warmed up the day you want to serve it...

That being said...here it goes (the changes I made to the recipe are bolded and underlined)

Ingredients:

10 ounces of grape tomatoes (I used 3/4 of a container I got from Wegman's...1/4 of it was spoiled...argh!)

4 large garlic cloves, minced or grated

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided (EVOO)

salt & pepper

1/3 cup pine nuts

10 ounces spaghetti (fettuccine)

14 ounces very small tomatoes (about 8 to 10), cut into chunks (2 large tomatoes from a local farm, diced)

4 ounces mozzarella, cubed

about 10 basil leaves, julienned

2 chicken breasts

1 small shallot, grated

Instructions:
1. Slow roast the grape tomatoes:
     Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Cover the baking sheet with foil. (I did this, but you might be able to get away with just using some PAM spray) Slice grape tomatoes in half and put on baking sheet. (I WOULD) Mince the garlic and sprinkle on top of the tomatoes. Drizzle with EVOO and salt and pepper. Roast for LESS THAN 2 hours...I went with the recommended 2 hours and the tomatoes were burnt...

Sliced grape tomatoes

Drizzled with salt and pepper and EVOO (notice the chunks of garlic...don't do that)

In the picture you can also see I used a few slices of larger tomatoes, just to see...yeah, stick with the grape tomatoes.

2. Toast the pine nuts: Spray a pan with PAM and heat over med/high heat. Once the pan is warm, put the pine nuts in the pan and cook for a few minutes. MAYBE 2-3 minutes.

3. Take the pine nuts and roasted tomatoes and put into a bowl. Cook the chicken with the shallots in the same pan as the pine nuts were in. I would add in a little bit of water, so the chicken doesn't dry out. ALSO, cook your spaghetti. By the way, the wooden spoon over a boiling pot doesn't let the pot boil over!!! Save your stove top!! Dice your large tomatoes, chop your basil, cube your cheese.

4. BEFORE YOU DRAIN THE PASTA, keep about 1/2 cup of the noodle water!!!!

5. Add the pasta to the bowl with the pine nuts and roasted tomatoes. Add the basil, tomatoes, cheese, chicken, and noodle water. Add approximately 4 T. of EVOO. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Toss everything together.

Enjoy!