Pasta With Fresh Herbs Feta And Tomatoes Recipes

BAKED FETA PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Toss the cherry tomatoes and olive oil with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and several grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Transfer to a 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish, place the feta in the center of the tomatoes and season with a pinch of black pepper. Bake until the tomatoes have burst and the feta has softened, about 30 minutes. Raise the heat to 450 degrees F and continue to cook until the tomatoes and feta are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 13 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then thoroughly drain the pasta.
• As soon as the tomatoes and feta come out of the oven, stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Use the back of a spoon to smash the tomatoes and feta into a smooth and creamy sauce (it's okay if some of the oil isn't fully integrated). Add the pasta and half the basil and toss until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, stir in some pasta water a couple tablespoons at a time. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve topped with the remaining basil and a pinch of sea salt.

EASY FETA TOMATO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and salt to taste. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are soft and have released their juices, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Drain the pasta and immediately add to the pan of tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and toss to coat. Add feta cheese, and basil and stir through. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

PASTA WITH FRESH HERBS, FETA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to pkg directions while preparing 'sauce'.
• Chop tomatoes coarsely, removing seeds as they make sauce too runny.
• Roughly chop approximately 1/4-1/2c basil leaves and set aside.
• Chop 1/2c parsley and set aside.
• Add 1-2 tablespoons olive oil to a non-stick pan(I actually use a large non-stick wok!) Cook tomatoes, garlic and chillis until tendercrisp over medium-high heat. DO NOT overcook tomatoes, the last thing you want is a soggy mess. You should be able to easily identify the tomato chunks in the pasta! This is NOT a traditional soupy sauce! It's a fresh, light tasting summery dish not meant to be 'drowned' in excess sauce.
• Toss in the HOT drained fusilli and stir through crumbled feta and basil over low heat until feta begins to melt. The feta shouldn't be melted all the way, just warmed through and softened! It will continue to melt on the plate, you should be able to see lots of chunky bits of cheese poking through.
• Stir through the chopped parsley and approximately 1/2c olives.
• Top with fresh grated parmesan.
• Enjoy with a chilled glass of chardonnay!

ONE-PAN FETA PASTA WITH CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a shallow 2-quart casserole or gratin dish, or an 11-by-7-inch baking dish, combine tomatoes, garlic, thyme, rosemary and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Toss with 1/4 cup of the olive oil to coat. Place the feta in the middle of the dish, and top with the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. Sprinkle the black pepper and red-pepper flakes over everything. Bake for about 40 minutes, until the garlic has softened and the tomatoes have burst their skins.
• Add the pasta to the pan in an even layer and sprinkle with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Pour the boiling water on top. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, carefully submerge pasta. Cover tightly with foil and bake until pasta is al dente, 17 to 19 minutes. Remove from oven and let the pasta stand, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes to absorb the excess liquid.
• Stir in basil until everything is well incorporated, and the tomatoes and cheese create a creamy sauce. When serving, top with more black pepper, oil and flaky sea salt.

MIXED FRESH HERB PASTA

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water; bring to a boil over high heat. Add salt and pasta. Cook until the pasta is al dente according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, place shallots on a cutting board, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Using the side of a chef's knife, crush into a paste. Transfer to a medium bowl, and add oil and lemon juice. Whisk to combine. Add herbs and fennel fronds to shallot paste, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
• Drain the pasta in a colander, and return to pot. Stir in the herb sauce. Serve warm.

PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO-HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine first 7 ingredients in large bowl. Immediately add freshly cooked pasta. Toss well. Season generously with pepper and serve immediately.

FRESH PASTA

Steps:

• Heap the flour, and make a well in it. Break the eggs into the well. Beat eggs with a fork. Stir into the flour from the bottom of the well with the fork until the dough in the center is smooth or shiny.
• With your hands, gradually incorporate the flour from the outside of the well toward the center, kneading gently until the mass of dough comes together. Knead the dough until it is smooth and resilient. You may need to add more flour, or you may not be able to incorporate all of the flour, depending on the humidity and the size of the eggs. If the dough is sticky or extremely pliable, knead more flour into it.
• Divide the dough into three portions, cover with plastic wrap or an overturned bowl, and allow to rest for at least 30 minutes.
• Roll the dough out very thin on a lightly floured surface, one portion at a time. If you have a pasta machine, follow the manufacturer's instructions for rolling out the dough into sheets about 1 millimeter thick. Use as desired.