It is Barefoot Blogger Thursday once again. The Barefoot Bloggers are a group who blog about Ina Garten recipes on the the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Each member takes a turn selecting a recipe and then everyone in the group makes the same dish and comments on it. I have been watching The Next Food Network Star and recently all of the contestants went to Ina’s beautiful barn in the Hamptons as part of their competition and I got to thinking. Gee, we work hard staying true to all things Ina. You would think that she would invite us to the barn for a luncheon. I’m sure we would even agree to fix the food and clean the kitchen. What do you think? Don’t you think we deserve it?
This week’s recipe was chosen by Cat of Delta Whiskey. She is a proud Air Force wife and can kick some booty. She can also cook some good pasta. Visit her blog to see what she did with this wonderful recipe. And wonderful it is. Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes has now become my favorite pasta salad. The combination of fresh and sun-dried tomatoes, chunks of mozzarella, olives, basil, and Parmesan cheese just sing with flavor and the whole salad is very refreshing on a hot summer evening. Ina Garten nailed it again. Now if only we could eat this in the Hamptons.
PASTA WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES
1/2 pound fusilli (spirals) pasta
Kosher salt
Olive oil
1 pound ripe tomatoes, medium-diced
1/4 cup good black olives, such as kalamata, pitted and diced
1 lb. fresh mozzarella, medium-diced
6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
For the Dressing:
5 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
6 tablespoons good olive oil
1 garlic clove, diced
t teaspoon caper, drained
2 teaspoons kosher salt ( I used less)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup packed basil leaves, julienned
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water with a splash of oil to keep it from sticking together. Boil for 12 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Drain well and allow to cool. Place the pasta n a bowl and add the tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
For the dressing, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers, salt, and pepper in a food processor until almost smooth.
Pour the dressing over the pasta, sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and basil, and toss well.
This sounds scrumptious. It certainly is a perfect summer meal.
This looks delicious Penny. I am trying this out soon. perfect BBQ side dish!
Yes, delicious and perfect for summer! I’m a slacker on my BB (as usual)…will be running last minute, LOL! Yours looks great 🙂
This looks delicious! I just bought an Ina Garten cookbook and have enjoyed reading through it, trying to decide what to make first.
Looks yummy! My favourite kind of salad.
I was lucky enough to meet Ina when she was here two years ago signing books. She is lovely.
First, I do indeed think Ina should invite you to her “barn.” How bad could that be? And, thanks for the pasta salad recipe. It looks delicious and is on my list for next week.Wouldn’t your mother be proud! Lyla
Mary, Thanks. You are the post champion. I can’t keep up all of your wonderful recipes.
Donna, I can see you trying this at your beautiful new home with the pool and ourdoor firepit.
Girlichef, Hope the computer is back up and running. I’ve missed you.
Bella, Everything in Ina’s books are good. Just watch the salt.
Natashya, I am so wishing I had been with you when you met Ina. Glad to know that she is a really nice person.
Lyla, Thank you dear friend from my childhood. Glad we are friends again and are getting together in August. You are right about my Mother.
Gorgeous pasta salad! Looks YUM YUM
This looks like the perfect summer meal!
It would be so great to visit Ina in the Hamptons! Your dish looks great and it seems you really enjoyed it.
Penny I agree about visiting Ina’s barn. This was a great summer salad for picnics or bbq’s.
p.s. I love the picture of your kitchen in your banner. so jealous over here.
Penny,
Your dish looks fantastic! I definitely think we all deserve a trip to the Hamptons, but if I were you, I don’t know if I would want to leave that gorgeous kitchen of yours behind!!
I agree – you should be invited to Ina’s barn. The Hamptons are beautiful, and it would be a fitting tribute to a group of dedicated fans.
Love the combo of fresh and sun dried tomatoes – the sweet-sweet and the sweet-tart are crazy good!
I love sun dried tomatoes. I’ve been using them a long time and find that they are very versatile. Your pasta looks terrific.
I’ve missed everyone since I’ve been away on a holiday with no internet access. It’s nice to be back home and seeing what great food my friends are dishing up.
Sam
This looks like the perfect summer dinner salad for me. I love Ina–I have all of her cookbooks. Thanks for sharing this.
Loved this salad and definitely think Ina should have us all over for lunch!