Pasta Caprese

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (see note above)
• 2 -4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, from 1 lemon (see note above)
• 1 small garlic clove, minced (about 1/2 teaspoon)
• 1 small shallot, minced fine (about 2 tablespoons)
• salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 lbs ripe tomatoes, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (see note above)
• 1 lb pasta (short tubular or curly, such as penne, fusilli, or campanelle)
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon sugar (see note above)

Recipe

• 1 whisk oil, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, garlic, shallot, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in large bowl.
• 2 add tomatoes and gently toss to combine and set aside. (do not marinate tomatoes for longer than 45 minutes.).
• 3 while tomatoes are marinating, place mozzarella on plate and freeze until slightly firm, about 10 minutes.
• 4 bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil in stockpot. add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta; stir to separate, and cook until al dente. drain well.
• 5 add pasta and mozzarella to tomato mixture and gently toss to combine.
• 6 let stand for 5 minutes. gently stir in basil; adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice or sugar, if necessary, and serve immediately.