Oven-roasted Tomatoes with Fresh Basil +Raw Mozzarella over Penne with Olive Oil and Garlic Sauce

I learned how to make this one large serving at a time while cooking at an Italian restaurant, so that's how I'm going to give it to you...

3 or 4 roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp dried basil
2 T vegetable oil

Toss this all together in a cake pan.  Roast at about 275 for about 30 or 40 minutes.  Every 10 minutes, gently shuffle the slices around.  Try not to break them up too much.  No biggie if you do.  Set this aside for later.

4 oz (uncooked) penne -- cook it!  Al Dente!  Not mushy!   Drain well, then stir in about 1 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO).  Set aside.


1/4 C EVOO
2 oz raw or fresh mozzarella.  Also known as buffalo mozzarella.  This can be sold shrink-wrapped or floating in a tub of whey.  Don't get the stuff floating in olive oil with all the spices in it.  That stuff's good, but not right for the recipe.  Cut this into 1/2 inch cubes.

3 T fresh basil, chiffonaded.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb80AXkUdZs  I like my basil pieces kinda big -- personal preference.

1 tsp McCormack Season All + 2 cloves garlic, minced.  Mix these two together prior to starting.

Oh, you'll also want an awesome loaf of bread with EVOO for dipping!


Ok, here goes.  Get a large saute pan pretty hot.  Medium heat, I'd say, although this one simply takes practice to figure out.  You're going to see a lot of flames under and around your pan as you cook!  Don't freak!  Add the 1/4 C EVOO to the pan and get it good and hot.  Add the garlic and McCormack mixture.  Swirl around until it's distributed through the oil.  Let it cook 15 or 20 seconds.  Add your oven-roasted tomatoes.  This is going to cause some excitement on the stove!  Toss this around in the pan until it's good and hot.  Now add the basil.  Toss for 30 seconds.  Add the penne.  30 seconds.  Turn off the stove and add the cheese.  Toss very quickly then slide it onto a plate.  If you let the cheese get too hot it'll all lump together in the middle of the dish.  Still delicious, but not visually appealing!  Finish with a sprinkle of parsley and some parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!  This has been my favorite meal for about 15 years now.  My kids beg for it.  Let me know how you like it, and if I need to clarify anything.