Tomato Basil Pasta

Ingredients

• 6
  
  ounces Pasta, Penne
  
• 3
  
  Garlic Cloves, Large, Minced
  
• 1/4
  
  cup Olive Oil, X-tra Virgin
  
• 1 1/2
  
  teaspoons Italian Seasoning, dried
  
• 1
  
  tablespoon Capers, small, drained
  
• 4
  
  Plum Tomotoes, Med.
  
• 8-10
  
  Basil Leaves, Fresh
  
• 6
  
  ounces Mozzarella, cubed or torn
  
• 1/4
  
  cup Black Olives, Large, Pitted
  

Directions

1. Cook Pasta Al dente. Drain and leave to come to room temperature. Make sure it doesn’t get hard and dried out.
2. In a large bowl place the following. Slice tomatoes length wise and remove seeds and pulp. Then slice tomatoes in approx. 1/2″ strips. Cube or “shred” mozzarella. Wash and dry basil. Basil can either be torn or place all basil together on top of one another and roll up and then with a sharp knife slice through making “basil strips”. I prefer torn. Slice Black Olives. Tossing all together.
3. In a saute pan heat olive oil to medium and add garlic until fragrant, not brown. Add italian seasoning and capers, also til fragrant. Remove from heat.
4. Combine cooled pasta (if pasta is not cool it will melt the cheese) with tomato basil bowl. And toss. Slowly drizzle oil mixture over pasta and mix to coat. Add coarse sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste and serve