World’s Best Pasta Salad with Tomatoes

Ingredients

  • Penne pasta (1 lb.) 

  • Cherry tomatoes (½ lb.)   

  • Lemon (½ - juice)   

  • Basil (4 - 5 leaves) 

  • Garlic (1 clove)   

  • Mozzarella (½ lb.)   

  • Freshly ground black pepper   

  • Sea salt   

  • Anchovies (if desired – adds a sea salt flavor)   

  • Vito & Joe’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil

How to Prepare

  1. Heat up some water for the pasta.

  2. Once the water is rapidly boiling, add in the penne pasta. Stir until al dente for 11 minutes.

  3. If using anchovies, take 2 -3 anchovies, place them in a small bowl and add some milk.

  4. Stir the anchovies into the milk a little.

  5. Set aside.

  6. Take the garlic clove, remove the peel and the ends, and add it into the mortar.

  7. Cut the lemon in half.

  8. Take half of the lemon and add the zest to the mortar.

  9. Squeeze the lemon juice into the mortar.

  10. Tear up a basil leave and add it to the mortar.

  11. Don’t forget about your pasta! Keep stirring in between steps!

  12. Take the soaked anchovies and add them into the mortar.

  13. Ground half of a teaspoon of pepper and just a pinch of salt into the mixture.

  14. Mix down into a liquid for about a minute.

  15. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of Vito and Joe’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil to the mortar. Stir.

  16. Set aside.

  17. Cut the mozzarella into cubes.

  18. Take a few basil leaves, roll them up and cut them up with a knife.

  19. Chop the tomatoes in half.

  20. Remove the pasta and drain it without rinsing.

  21. Add a tablespoon or 2 of Vito & Joe’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil, some salt and pepper on top of the pasta. Stir.

  22. Let the pasta cool for 10 – 15 minutes by wrapping it and putting it in the refrigerator.

  23. In a large pot, add the pasta, chopped basil leaves, tomatoes and another small spoon of Vito & Joe’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Stir.

  24. Add in the mozzarella. Stir.

  25. Take the dressing that was set aside, stir it up a little bit and pour it on top of the pasta salad. Stir.

  26. Pour the pasta salad into a serving dish and top it with some basil leaves. Enjoy!

  27. Using a mortar and pestle (or bowl and wooden spoon), prepare the salad dressing. Enjoy!