Pasta Ponza

I got this recipe from Giada DeLaurentiis' cooking show. It looks and tastes fantastic. Easy, too. The tomaotes taste similar to sundried...nice and rich. Figure friendly, too.

Pasta Ponza
Ingredients
Butter for greasing
2 cups (12 ounces) red cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
2 cups (12 ounces) yellow cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup capers, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
1/2 cup Italian-style seasoned breadcrumbs
1 pound ziti or other short tube-shaped pasta
1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 ounces) Pecorino Romano cheese , grated
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Directions
Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 8-inch glass baking dish. Set aside.
Place the tomatoes, capers, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in the prepared baking dish. Toss to coat. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the tomato mixture. Drizzle the top with olive oil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is golden. Cool for 5 minutes.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.
Place the pasta in a large serving bowl. Spoon the tomato mixture onto the pasta. Add the cheese and toss well. Thin out the sauce with a little pasta water, if needed. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve immediately.

What to do with all of those tomatoes?

I am crossing my fingers and am waiting with anticipation for my tomatoes to grow up and bear fruit. I have planted tomato seeds that were started in the kitchen and will be ready for the great outdoors in a couple of weeks. I have decided to do a small garden in raised beds and was able to purchase some half wine barrels in hope to keep critters at bay (and peeing dogs).

Happy Easter!!

Knitters....

It never ceases to amaze me how cool knitters are. I was getting my nails done at my local manicurie at the end of a horrible day at work. A conversation begins with another woman sitting in the adjacent chair and somehow she mentions the "k" word. My ears perk up! She is new to the area (about three years) and is a knitter- does a lot of knitting on commuter flights! We simultaneously gush about Sebastopol's LYS "Balls and Skeins". All of a sudden, I begin to feel better. I mean, I felt like shit when I rolled in for my pre-Easter manicure and all of a sudden, I am feeling much better. We are both on fire for knitting. Had a wonderful chat about sock knitting. Showed off my latest WIP and my nifty Namaste bag. You have got to love it!

Hearts & Stars Blanket

She's getting there.