Tomato Basil Pasta

Ingredients
Radiatori pasta (or any spiral pasta like rotini or cavatappi)
Olive oil
Garlic powder
Cherry tomatoes
Fresh basil
Lemon juice
Parmesan cheese (shredded)
Feta cheese (crumbled)


There's snow on the ground here in east Arkansas and the temperatures are dropping well below freezing. I fucking love the cold, to the point that I like to walk outside when it's at it's coldest and just stand around. Nothing makes you feel more alive. The odd thing about this weather is that it makes me crave things that most people would eat during the summer... ice cream, fresh fruit, that kinda shit. This is a simple and exceedingly good pasta dish that most people would say belongs in the summertime. Fuck those people.


Preparation
1. We're dealing with pasta, so obviously you need to put a pot of water on to boil. When it starts boiling, add in as much pasta as you think you'll need (for me, it's usually too much). While all that's going on, we're going to make our tomato and basil mixture. First, stem your cherry tomatoes and wash them. You're going to cut them in half and toss them in a bowl with a lid (Tupperware works really well here). About a dozen or so should be sufficient for two people.


2. Add in about 6 tablespoons of olive oil, a few dashes of garlic powder and a blast of lemon juice. Tear up about three decent sized basil leaves and add those in as well.


3. Pop on the lid and shake the fuck out of it.


Now you have your tomato and basil mixture all ready to go. Don't refrigerate this... let it sit out while you cook so it's nice and room temperature when you're ready to plate.


4. Radiatori may be my favorite type of pasta, and I highly suggest you give it a shot if you tackle this recipe. I can eat this shit by the handful. Do you remember how to check the doneness of your pasta? I fucking hope so. It should only take about 7 or 8 minutes to get al dente.


When your pasta is done, drain it. Now, get another bowl with a lid. Dump in as much pasta as you're likely to use right away... so if you're making dinner for two, about two bowls full. Now toss in some Parmesan and feta cheese. As much as you want... this is more art than science.


Pop on the lid and shake the fuck out of it.



5. The heat from the pasta and the motion of the shaking will soften up your cheese but not melt it. Dish out your pasta, add your tomato and basil mixture on top.


Give it a quick stir and enjoy.