Fusilli with Summer Tomato Sauce

This is a fun fresh pasta salad

Ingredients

2 pounds ripe tomatoes, chopped

1 large clove garlic, minced

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper

2/3 cup packed fresh basil

1 pound fusilli

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving 

Preparation

1.      In a food processor or blender, combine the tomatoes, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper and puree. Add the basil and pulse just to mix.

2.    In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the fusilli until just done, about 13 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce and the Parmesan cheese. Let sit for about 1 minute to allow the pasta to absorb some of the liquid. Serve with additional Parmesan.

Yield: 4 servings

Fresh Salsa

Most salsas use the same ingredients with few variation, here is a recipe that lists ingredients that I have found in most salsa. mix and match the amount for the right flavors  for you.


Remember pepper seeds pack the heat so if you want a hot salsa leave the seeds in, milder salsas take the seeds out, and never touch your face when handling the hotter peppers dangerous things can happen. They suggest wearing gloves since some people have sensitivity to peppers.


5 tomatoes, peeled, seeded, finely chopped
1 can green chilies, chopped
1 jalapeno chile, minced
1 lg. garlic clove, crushed
Salt to taste
1/4 c. cilantro, chopped (fresh)
1 red onion, diced

Prepare ingredients and mix together in a large bowl. Can be served immediately. Use whenever salsa is called for in a recipe. Serve with tortilla chips, use in a layered dip, or serve on top of baked chicken or fish.

For and mild salsa you can change the green chilies peppers to green bell peppers and keep a few more seeds in from the Jalapeño. 

Taco Soup

Prep Time 10 min Cook time 30 min -1 hour
May use a large crock pot for this recipe

1lb Hamburger
1 Onion
1-2 28oz cans of crushed tomatoes
1 15 oz can corn (you can use frozen if you wish)
1 pkg Taco Seasoning
1 can chopped/sliced olives
2 6 oz cans tomato paste
5 cups of water

Brown meat with taco seasoning to taste. Add remaining ingredients, including any left over taco seasoning. Simmer for one hour in large crock pot, 30 min in large pot on med heat.

Garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese and tortilla chips. We usually forgo spoons and eat it with the the Frito scoop chips.

Avocado Salsa

Prep Time 10 min

3 tomatoes chunked
2 avocados chunked
Green onions sliced
Cilantro chopped
1 14 oz can whole Kernel Corn
1 14 oz can black beans
1/4 cup Italian Dressing

Prepare all ingredients but the Avocado and Dressing. Just before serving add the Avocados and the Italian Dressing.

You can prepare this ahead of time minus the avocados and let the vegetable marinate in the Dressing.