Basil Heirloom Tomato Toss Recipes

HEIRLOOM TOMATO AND BASIL SALAD

Steps:

• Cut tomatoes into wedges and toss together in a serving dish. Drizzle over olive oil; add torn basil. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

SPAGHETTI WITH HEIRLOOM TOMATOES, BASIL, AND BOTTARGA BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Put a large pot of heavily salted water on to boil over high heat.
• Toss the breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil, spread them on a baking sheet, and toast 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until golden brown.
• Heat a large sauté pan over high heat for 2 minutes. Pour in the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, and add the rosemary and crumbled chiles. Let them sizzle in the oil a minute or so, and then add the sliced onion and thyme. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Turn the heat down to medium, and cook 3 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the garlic, and cook another 3 to 4 minutes, until the onion is translucent and starting to color slightly.
• Drop the pasta in the boiling water.
• Turn the heat under the onions back up to high, and add the tomatoes to the pan with 1 teaspoon salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Stir the tomatoes often, and cook about 8 minutes, until their juices are released and start to reduce.
• When the pasta is al dente, drain it and add it to the tomatoes. Toss well, add the butter, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, to reduce the juices so they coat the noodles well. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and taste. Add the basil, parsley, and half the bottarga to the pan, and toss to combine. Transfer to a large warm pasta bowl or platter. Shower the breadcrumbs over the pasta, and scatter the remaining bottarga shavings on top.

BASIL BAKED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a small skillet, saute garlic in oil for 1 minute. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir until lightly browned. Remove from the heat., Cut tomatoes in half widthwise. Place cut side up in an 8-in. square baking dish. Sprinkle with basil and pepper; top with bread crumb mixture. Bake at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until tomatoes are slightly softened.