Mexican Style Fresh Tomatoes And Pasta Recipes

TOMATO AND GARLIC PASTA

Steps:

• Place tomatoes in a kettle, and cover with cold water. Bring just to the boil. Pour off water, and cover again with cold water. Peel. Cut into small pieces.
• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente.
• In a large skillet or saute pan, saute the garlic in enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan. The garlic should just become opaque, not brown. Stir in the tomato paste. Immediately stir in the tomatoes, and salt and pepper. Reduce heat, and simmer until the pasta is ready; add the basil.
• Drain the pasta, but do not rinse in cold water. Toss with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, and then mix into the sauce. Reduce the heat as low as possible. Keep warm, uncovered, for about 10 minutes when it is ready to serve. Garnish generously with fresh Parmesan cheese.
• VARIATIONS: Saute fresh quartered mushrooms with the garlic, or add shoestring zucchini along with the tomato.

FRESH TOMATO PASTA

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
• Coarsely chop the tomato and transfer to a small bowl. Sprinkle the tomato chunks with basil, olive oil, and salt. Set aside.
• Once the water is boiling, stir in the rigatoni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain well in a colander, and then return the pasta to the pot.
• Pour the tomato mixture over the pasta and toss to mix.

PASTA VERDE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook poblano peppers over a gas flame, turning periodically with tongs or a fork, until skin is charred on all sides, about 7 minutes. Seal peppers inside a plastic bag; allow peppers to steam as they cool, about 8 minutes. Remove and discard skins and seeds.
• Place peppers, sour cream, water, chopped cilantro, vegetable bouillon cubes, garlic, and black pepper in a blender; blend until creamy.
• Pour sauce into a large pot over low heat; bring to a boil. Drain spaghetti and add to the sauce. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Top with Parmesan cheese and cilantro leaves.

MEXICAN TOMATO SOUP WITH TOASTED PASTA

Steps:

• In a 2 quart, or larger, sauce pan, heat the 2 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium high heat. Once oil is hot, stir in the dried pasta (small elbows or alphabet letters work nicely, but any smaller shape works). Stir frequently so that the pasta toasts evenly. It will become brown and very fragrant in about 5-8 minutes. Remember to check often so that pasta doesn't become too dark or burned.
• In the meantime, in your blender (or with a stick blender in a large measuring cup) add the chopped tomatoes, garlic, and diced onions and puree until completely smooth.
• When pasta is evenly toasted, add the tomato puree to the pan. Be careful, the puree will sizzle possibly splatter once it hits the pan. Stir gently until the pasta is coated in the puree. Add salt and pepper and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta soaks up the liquid and the mixture has reduced, leaving the pasta coated in a thick tomato paste-like sauce. Approximately 7-10 minutes.
• Carefully add the chicken broth, or any kind of broth or stock you wish, and let the soup come to a simmer to finish cooking the pasta. Stir occasionally for about 15 minutes. Add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce and remove from heat. Serve as is or with some chopped fresh cilantro or thin sliced green onions.
• -OPTIONAL- Add 1 cup of frozen sweet corn, thawed, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, or thinly sliced cabbage, fresh lime juice, shredded, cooked chicken or pork. Add when adding stock, for a more substantial meal.
• We used a vinegary Jalapeno hot sauce and really liked it. This soup tastes best when made with ripe tomatoes, especially heirloom tomatoes. I used black/brown heirlooms and it was deeply flavored and complex.

PASTA WITH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Combine the tomatoes, basil, garlic, salt and pepper. Serve over pasta. If desired, garnish with basil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.