SPAGHETTI WITH TOMATOES, BASIL, OLIVES AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Hello Cooking Fans!

Tonight's recipe was simple to make and simply delicious. It was light on the tastebuds, perfect for one of those hot nights! Pair it up with some garlic bread and you have yourself a completely healthy meal!

First, let's go over the ingredients:

2 pounds vine ripened tomatoes, (about 6), chopped
- 3/4 pound salted mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes, at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups chopped, fresh basil
- 1/2 cup halved and pitted black olives
- 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced

Optional: capers, red onions and/or parmesan cheese

I bought the mozzarella that is soaking in liquid already in balls. THAT was a mistake. The mozzarella was horribly flavorless. So, do yourself a flavor and buy some good tasting mozzarella.

I also threw in a loaf of garlic bread into the oven before I started preparing this meal because it really is that quick to make.

Before you start your tomato mix, get a pot of water going so your pasta will be ready when you need it to be.

So, let's get cooking!

Chop up your tomatoes. 6 did seem like alot, but this dish is primarily focused on the tomatoes, so chop em all up!


Next, throw in your GOOD tasting mozzarella pieces on top of the tomatoes


Chop up your pile of basil leaves and throw that in


Open up your can of sliced olives and dump that into your pile of goodies


Put your 4ish teaspoons of Balsamic Vinegar (yum)


Season it with 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper


Stir!! Doesn't it just look yummy already?


Put some olive oil into a small saute pan and put your chopped garlic into it. You want it about medium or less heat as you are not FRYING the garlic, but infusing the garlic flavor into the olive oil. I used 6 cloves of garlic and not three as I LOVE LOVE LOVE garlic.


Put your cooked pasta into a big stainless steel bowl if you got one


Pour your tomato mixture on top and stir!


Now, add the gently cooked garlic to the mixture and stir again


Now for the optional pieces of food to add. I added capers and parmesan cheese to it and restirred. I really like the tart taste of the capers and the cheese will give it just a little bit of stickiness.


and Voila! The final product all ready to go into my tummy.