Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Slow Roasted Tomato Pasta Salad Recipe


Even though it's still only spring, we've been having some gorgeous warm days here in the Seattle area. Days that remind me that this is a beautiful place to live, and that I'm very lucky to call Washington state my home. And when I think of the warmer months to come, I think about outdoor grilling, and beach picnics, and our favorite foods for the season.

My family and I are huge fans of pasta salad. We  love them as a side dish with grilled meats or chicken, or as a main meal when meats are added to them. And they are great and easy to transport for picnics or taking to someone's house for a potluck.

What makes this pasta salad one of my favorites is that it's made with oven roasted tomatoes. I slow roast the tomatoes at a low temperature for a couple of hours, and the flavor is so intensified and delicious. They can be stored in olive oil in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. I also add them to spaghetti, salads and pizza. The time spent to roast them is well worth it, especially when you consider how expensive they are at the grocery store.

I made this pasta salad for the 4th of July last year and shared it here on the blog. It was a big hit with friends and family, so I wanted to share it with you all again. It's super easy to put together, and can be made ahead of time too.

Here's how I slow roast tomatoes:

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Wash, dry, and slice in-half two pounds of Roma tomatoes.
Lay the tomatoes cut-side down on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a tiny bit of granulated sugar.
Roast for 2 - 21/2  hours, or until tomatoes are lightly dried and slightly darkened. Store in the fridge in a jar with olive oil.

Recipe for Slow Roasted Tomato Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

3/4 pound colored rotini pasta, cooked and rinsed with cold water
1 cup oven roasted tomatoes, roughly chopped
1/2 cup Italian dressing
2 tablespoons dried Italian herbs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, Italian herbs, and pepper. Add the pasta and tomatoes, and stir to combine. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and give it another stir.
Serve or refrigerate.

Makes 6 servings.


I don't know about you, but I can hardly wait for summer to come this year. Beach days, good food shared with friends and family, and a glass of chilled wine at the end of the day sound heavenly to me right now.

I remind myself that it will all come back, even on days like today when it's cold and windy outside and hot coffee is what I want most.


Patricia
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