Recipe: Brie and Basil Penne Pasta

Setting the Scene: Summertime is in full swing and so are the fruits and veggies! Tomatoes, basil, eggplant, melon: it's all ripe and ready to eat! But summertime also means crazy schedules and hot kitchens. I was feeling the heat this week – both physically (it’s 100 degrees right now!) and mentally (too much to do!) – so I haven’t been taken the time I should to invest into easy, luxurious living, which really, isn’t that how we all want to live? Day’s consisting of skipping home from the farmers market in a cute new dress with a fresh baguette in tote? I aim for that lifestyle as much as I can, and I’ve found the simplest way to accomplish this is by taking the time to enjoy a healthy, well-prepared meal. Luckily, not all great meals are difficult to prepare. If you too have been eating on the fly and haven’t had a chance to sit down and enjoy the basil lately, this recipe is for you.

Time: 1.5 hours

Serves: 6-8 Recipe From: Mom

Ingredients:

2, 28oz cans of diced tomatoes

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1 cup of olive oil

2 cups of chopped basil, coursely chopped

1 lb penne pasta

1 wedge (0.5lb) of brie cheese, chopped into cubes

Instructions:

1. Combine 2 cans (1 can should be drained first) of diced tomatoes in pot. Mince 4 cloves of garlic and add to pot. Let simmer on low heat for 1 hour with lid on.

2, After 1 hour take off heat and set aside. When slightly cool, add the 1 cup of olive oil and the 2 cups of chopped basil to the tomato sauce. Set aside.

3. Cook 1lb of penne pasta according to instructions. Drain the pasta and combine it with the tomato sauce. Add the one wedge of chopped, skin-off brie cheese. Mix gently to incorporate the brie, which will begin to melt combining with the sauce. Serve immediately.

Notes:

1. As left-overs, the brie will complete disintegrate and incorporate itself into the sauce. Still delicious!

2. This is an easy meal to prepare ahead of time. Simply pre-chop the brie and basil have everything ready to go. Let the sauce simmer while you're enjoying a nice Italian white on the back porch with your guests.