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30 fresh tomato recipes

Tomatoes are humble enough to blend into the background of sauces and salads, but robust enough to star as the main ingredient in a dish.

24. Linguine with tomatoes, ricotta and basil

Blue Kitchen
Ricotta melts into a deliciously creamy sauce when combined with a little pasta water in the pan. Add to fresh linguine and summer tomatoes.

 By Terry Boyd, Blue Kitchen

 Serves 4

1-1/2 pounds tomatoes, cut into large chunks
 olive oil
 1 to 2 large cloves garlic, minced
 freshly ground black pepper
 salt
 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (I used partially skim)
 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

12 ounces uncooked linguine or other long pasta

1. Start a large pot of water to cook the pasta. While water is heating, combine tomatoes with a drizzle of olive oil, garlic and a generous grind of black pepper in a large bowl and gently stir. Set aside. Do not add salt at this point; it will leech moisture from the tomatoes.

2. Cook the pasta for about 2 minutes less than the package directions call for, just short of al dente. Reserve 1-1/2 cups of pasta water when you drain it.

3. Meanwhile, cook the tomatoes. Warm 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add the tomatoes and garlic to the pan and season with a little salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 to 6 minutes. The tomato chunks will begin to collapse and release their juices.

4. Add cooked pasta to the pan, along with the ricotta cheese and 3/4 to 1 cup reserved pasta water. Toss to combine, making sure to stir the ricotta into the pan juices. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in basil. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Divide among 4 shallow bowls and serve.

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Mark Sappenfield
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