I don’t always eat out and truth be told ‘m actually a pretty good cook. On this particular weekend while walking through the Union Square Greenmarket I saw little cartons of cherry heirloom tomatoes. If you’ve never had heirloom tomatoes you’re really missing out. They pack an amazing flavor that you really can’t ind in anything else. ‘wichcraft makes a wonderful BLT that they only feature in the late summer and fall because they refuse to make the sandwich with any other type of tomato. This is really easy to make and I promise you that it’s simple and delicious.

Bucatini with Cherry Heirloom Tomatoes

serves 2

1/2 pound dry bucatini (Barilla is the best brand)

2 cloves of garlic

1/4 onion diced

leaves of fresh basil

1/4 olive oil

1 pint cherry heirloom tomatoes

sprinkle crushed red pepper

hand full of Japanese panko bread crumbs

a few pinches of sea salt

fresh crushed black pepper

grated Reggio Parmesan

1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Boil water for pasta. In a separate saute pan heat olive oil until it shimmers. Add garlic and onion first and cook until translucent. Add tomatoes next, some halved, some whole and push down to extract some juice. Season with sea salt, fresh black pepper and crushed red pepper. When pasta is al dente drain reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water. Add pasta to the saute pan as well as grated cheese, another drizzle of olive oil, bread crumbs and freshly grated cheese. Toss well to coat all the noodles. Serve alongside a fresh salad and a crisp Italian white, preferably a Tocai from Friuli. Enjoy!

Filed under: Diner For One, Italian Food Tagged: | Barilla, basil, Bucatini, crushed red pepper, Dinner For One, Friuli, garlic, Heirllom tomatoes, Panko Breadcrumbs, Reggio Parmesan, Tocai