the pink clutch ...: The Perfect Italian Meal ...

Yesterday I introduced you to the beauty of VIETRI Limoni and we talked about the food today. This meal is so easy to make and one I make a lot. As I mentioned before, I am part Italian, and a delicious pasta meal with fresh ingredients is a comfort meal for me. As a child, other kids had fish sticks, macaroni, and cheese, and my go-to was buttered noodles with extra parm accompanied by a fabulous crusty bread. All the carbs, please + thank you.

This yummy pasta dish is so easy to make. Known to the world as TikTok pasta, I choose it repeatedly for its perfect combination of roasted tomatoes, fresh garlic, and shallots, and the delicious feta cheese that gives the dish a yummy bite. Even though feta cheese is Greek and not Italian, I think it is refreshin refreshing, and delightful. To be honest, the first time I made it, I was not expecting to like it at all, and then I found out it was so good I swore to make it time and time again.

TikTok Pasta ...

2 pt. cherry or grape tomatoes (I always add extra)
1 shallot, quartered
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil, dividedexcellent excellent
Kosher salt
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 (8-oz.) block feta
3 sprigs of fresh thyme
10 oz. pasta
Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Fresh basil, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 400°. In a large ovenproof skillet or medium baking dish, combine tomatoes, shallot, garlic, and all but 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and red pepper flakes and toss to combine. Place feta into the center of the tomato mixture and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Scatter thyme sprigs over tomatoes. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until tomatoes burst and feta is golden on top. Meanwhile, cook pasta until al dente according to package directions in a large pot of boiling salted water. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

To skillet with tomatoes and feta, add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and lemon zest (if using) and stir until combined. Garnish with basil.

For this dish, I poured the tomatoes and feta mixture directly over the pasta in the bowl and let the goodness drip and run down into the pasta.

What is more perfect than a pairing of pasta and a delicious salad? I love an excellent arugula salad, and this one is delicious while remaining light and easy pairing to a heavier pasta dish.

Arugula Salad ...

Fresh arugula
salt and pepper
freshly shaved parmesan

Dressing ...
1 shallot, finely minced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
Splash of hot honey
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Mix well and pour over salad; garnish with shaved parmesan. I love a lot of cheese!