Cherry Tomatoes In Torta Del Casar Cheese Sauce Food

CHEESE TORTELLINI WITH CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook tortellini according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
• While the pasta cooks, gather and cut up the vegetables and other ingredients.
• Heat the olive oil and garlic in a large pan over medium heat for about one minute.
• Add tomatoes, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the pan and saute for about 5 minutes.
• Add spinach, parsley and basil to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes more.
• Gently stir in the tortellini and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
• Remove from heat and top with parmesan cheese.

PASTA WITH A CHERRY TOMATO AND MASCARPONE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet, over a medium heat.
• Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the cherry tomatoes, onion and salt. Stir frequently. This mixture will need to cook for about 25 minutes until the sauce has developed.
• When the tomatoes soften and the skins start to burst, press on them to release the juices inside. Once the majority of the skins have burst, it does not need stirring more than once every 5 minutes.
• Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, so it will be ready in time for the sauce.
• After about 25 minutes, the tomatoes should all have split and the juices should have created a sauce. Stir in the mascarpone cheese until melted and blended in.
• If desired, use a blender or hand-blender to puree the sauce, otherwise it can be left chunky.
• Add the parmesan cheese and basil leaves to the sauce, stir and serve on top of the pasta or mixed together with the pasta.

PASTA WITH BURST CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until 1 minute shy of al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for 15 seconds, then add the oil and heat until it thins out and easily coats the pan when swirled. Add pancetta and cook until it starts to render its fat, about 2 minutes. Add garlic, red pepper flakes and a large pinch of salt and pepper and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until they burst, turn golden at the edges and shrivel up slightly, about 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add pasta to pan and toss with tomato-pancetta mixture; if the mixture looks dry add a little pasta cooking water a few tablespoons at a time. Cook over high heat until the pasta finishes cooking in the sauce. Add the butter and toss until it melts and coats everything.
• Divide pasta among warmed pasta bowls. Garnish with dollops of ricotta if desired, and top with a generous mound of fresh mint and scallions. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and more pepper before serving.