Simple Summer Tomato and Basil Pasta
Nutritional benefits
According to the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, tomatoes are not only low in calories and easily digestible; they are good sources of vitamins A and C, and several minerals, supplying 60 % of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C for adults and 85 % for children. Tomatoes are also a good source of vitamin A, and iron, as well as some of the B complex-niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin-and have been shown to reduce the risk of cancers of the digestive system.
WebMD.com tells us that basil, a member of the mint family with antioxidant and antibacterial properties, has been used in naturopathic medicine. Two tablespoons of chopped, fresh basil offers 27 percent of the RDA of vitamin K, the blood-clotting vitamin, as well as being a good source of vitamin A, magnesium and manganese.
Simple Summer Tomato and Basil Pasta
Recipes using these two wonderful ingredients do not have to heat up the kitchen for hours on end. Here is my favorite pasta recipe for the summertime harvest:
Ingredient List:
3 or 4 large Roma tomatoes, seeded, and diced
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
Salt
1 lb. bowtie or corkscrew pasta
Parmesan or Asiago cheese, freshly grated
Directions:
1. Add pasta to pot of boiling, salted water and cook for 8 to 10 minutes (al dente).
2. While pasta is cooking, mix the tomatoes, garlic, basil and olive oil in a large serving bowl.
3. Grind fresh pepper, and add to bowl with salt, to taste.
4. Drain pasta, and add the hot, cooked pasta to the bowl and toss gently, coating with the tomato-basil mixture.
5. Top with freshly grated cheese.
6. Serve with a green salad with balsamic vinaigrette, and loaf of fresh bread.
Sources
Agricultural Research Service of the USDA
WebMD.com
Author's personal experience
Published by Coral Levang
Coral Levang is a trainer, coach, speaker and writer whose mission in life is to inspire others to see beyond the challenges they face in their lives, both personally and professionally. She candidly shares... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentFresh sounds good.
ASounds really good... thanks!
This sounds divine!
These are a few of my favorite things: tomatoes, basil, Asiago cheese and bowtie pasta :) Right up my alley! cheers :)
Yum, I like the sounds of this, thanks Coral:0)
Sounds fabulous!
Sounds delicious. I love these type dishes during the summer. Thanks!