Whip it Up: Week #1

It's WHIP IT UP TIME!!!
Week #1's recipe challenge called for Pasta.
So Pasta you will get.

Pasta Caprese
Recipe Courtesy of Cook's Illustrated

Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2-4 Teaspoons Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Small Garlic Clove, minced or pressed through a garlic press
1 Small Shallot, minced fine (about 2 tablespoons)
Table Salt and Ground Black Pepper
1 1/2 Lbs. Ripe Tomatoes, cored, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch dice
12 ounces fresh Mozzarella Cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 lb. Penne Pasta
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon sugar

* I added about 1/2 a pound of chicken breast. Because I felt I needed protein today.


1. First I obviously did all my measuring and chopping, because well it just makes it easier just to have everything in front of you. This made Bailey very happy because she usually gets something that falls off my cutting board.

2. Whisk oil, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, garlic, shallot, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in a large bowl. Add tomatoes and gently toss to combine: set aside. Do not marinate tomatoes for longer that 45 minutes.

3. While tomatoes are marinating, place mozzarella on plate and freeze until slightly firm, about 10 minutes. I know this sounds ridiculous. But it's too prevent the mozzarella from turning chewy when it comes in contact with the hot pasta. Bring 4 quarts water to a rolling boil in stockpot. Add 1 tablespoon salt to pasta, stir to separate and cook until al dente. Drain well.

That's the mozzie in the freezer. I have a lot of frozen fruit in there. I love it!

4. Oh this is where I improvised... about half way through the boiling, I seasoned boneless chicken breasts with Italian seasoning from my spices and cooked in a greased pan for about 3 minutes on each side.

5. Add pasta and mozzarella to tomato mixture and gently toss to combine. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in basil: adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, and additional lemon juice or sugar, if desired and serve immediately. I didn't add anything besides some grated Parmesan cheese.

Doesn't it look yummy???

Okay now off to the questions:

Was the recipe easy to follow?
Yes. Definitely. Cook's Illustrated does a really great job with this. They work out all of the kinks and find the absolute BEST way to follow the recipe so that you come out with perfect food each and every time. Wow do I sound like an advertisement or what?!

Did the dish taste good?
Yes. Very very yummy.

Would you ever make it again?
Yes. Especially in the warmer months. It was simple and did not require my oven, which makes my kitchen super hot.

Next week's challenge calls for cheese.
So many ideas!!

Enjoy!