Sauteed Skate With Summer Tomatoes And Basil Food

SPAGHETTI WITH FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Blanch the tomatoes and remove the skins. Cut in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Cut the tomatoes crosswise. Set aside in a bowl.
• Heat 3 ounces olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until it smokes slightly. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper. Since the tomatoes will reduce and the salt will be concentrated, it is better to season initially with a lighter hand.
• Chop the tomatoes with a potato masher until they are in fine chunks and all their liquid is released. Be sure they are chopped and crushed fine, for a semichunky sauce. Simmer for 25 minutes over medium heat.
• While the sauce simmers, heat the water for the pasta. Cook the spaghetti in salted water about half of the way cooked. Drain, reserving some of the water.
• Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add the pasta to the sauce and cook over medium-high heat until all the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is al dente. If the sauce is over-reduced, use the pasta cooking liquid to adjust it.
• At the last moment, remove the pan from the heat; add the extra-virgin olive oil, butter, basil and cheese. Mix thoroughly until the pasta is an orangy color. Taste again and adjust the salt if necessary. Remove to a platter. Serve.

SAUTEED CHERRY TOMATOES WITH GARLIC AND BASIL

Steps:

• Heat 1 Tb. olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high flame until it just starts to smoke. Add tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper. Saute, shaking pan frequently, until tomatoes soften and skins just begin to wrinkle, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and continue to shake the pan until garlic is fragrant. Off heat, stir in the basil and remaining 1 Tb. olive oil, then serve.

SIMPLE SUMMER PASTA WITH TOMATOES, ZUCCHINI AND BASIL

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.
• Place a large skillet over medium-hight heat. Add the olive oil, the thinly sliced shallots and the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes, until they get soft. Then, add the zucchini and cook for a few more minutes, stirring often.
• When the water comes to a boil, add one TBSP. table salt to the pot and then add the pasta. Cook until al dente, usually a bit less than the cooking time stated on the package.
• Add the halved tomatoes to the skillet and season everything with the salt, pepper, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook until the tomatoes begin to soften and the zucchini gets some light color.
• Meanwhile the pasta should be ready. Reserve half a cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta (you might need the hot water later to thin a bit the sauce).
• Transfer the drained pasta to the skillet with the vegetables and turn off the heat.
• Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese, toss, and taste for seasoning. If necessary, add more seasoning and a little bit of the reserved water to thin out the sauce.
• Just before you are ready to serve, stir in the Mozzarella and the basil. Drizzle some extra olive oil and serve at once!

SAUTEED SKATE WITH SUMMER TOMATOES AND BASIL

Steps:

• Thoroughly dry skate fillets with paper towels, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread flour in a large, shallow dish. Dredge fillets in flour, pat off excess, and set aside.
• Place a large non-stick skillet over high heat, and add the olive oil. When oil is hot, add skate wings so that they lie flat, in a single layer. Brown until the under side is lightly golden, about two minutes. Use a wide spatula to turn the fillets, and saute until surface is golden and flesh is opaque, about two minutes more. Transfer fillets to heated dinner plates, and keep warm.
• Return skillet to medium heat, and add the butter, stirring with a wooden spoon. As soon as the butter turns a medium nut-brown, stir in the lemon juice. Add tomatoes, and warm briefly - about 5 to 10 seconds for very ripe tomatoes, 15 to 30 seconds for firm tomatoes. Remove pan from heat, add 4 or 5 drops of Tabasco sauce, and salt and pepper to taste.
• To serve, spoon tomatoes over skate. Tear basil leaves into bite-sized pieces, and scatter over tomatoes. Serve immediately.

SAUTEED SUMMER SQUASH WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Cut the squash in thick slices. Heat the oil in a large skillet and saute the squash over high heat so that it is golden brown on both sides, but not overcooked. It should still be slightly crunchy. Remove with a slotted spoon as the pieces are cooked and place them in a serving bowl.
• Add the garlic to skillet, cook until golden. Add with oil left in pan to the squash. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with basil and toss. Serve hot or at room temperature.

SAUTEED SUMMER SQUASH WITH BASIL AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• 1. Heat oil in a large skillet over med high heat. Add zucchini, squash, and onion, saute 6 mins. Add garlic, saute 4 mins or until vegetables are tender. 2. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper to pan, saute 2 mins or until thoroughly heated. Stir in cheese and basil.

SUMMER TOMATO AND BASIL SPAGHETTINI

Steps:

• Bring large saucepan of water to boil. Drop in 3 tomatoes; cook 30 seconds. Using slotted spoon, transfer tomatoes to plate. Repeat with remaining tomatoes. When cool, peel tomatoes starting at X. Cut tomatoes in half horizontally; squeeze out seeds and juice. Chop tomatoes coarsely; transfer to large bowl. Mix in olives, 5 tablespoons oil, sliced basil, and shallots.
• Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs. Sauté until crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain well. Add pasta to tomato mixture; toss to blend. Gently mix in cheese. Transfer pasta to serving bowl. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs; garnish with basil sprigs.

PAN-COOKED SUMMER SQUASH WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat in a wide, heavy skillet. Add the zucchini. Cook, stirring or shaking the pan, until the zucchini is lightly seared and beginning to soften, three to five minutes. Remove from the pan, and set aside.
• Add the remaining olive oil to the pan, then the garlic. Cook, stirring, just until fragrant -- less than 30 seconds. Stir in the tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until the tomatoes have begun to cook down, about five minutes. Return the zucchini to the pan, add salt and pepper to taste, and reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until the zucchini is tender and translucent and the tomatoes have cooked down to a fragrant sauce. Stir in the basil, and taste and adjust seasonings. Remove from the heat and serve hot, or allow to cool and serve at room temperature.