Wednesday, August 25, 2010

blt pasta

Last Saturday we had a small window of perfect summer weather: sunny, breezy, and cool under the shade of a tree. To celebrate this rare occurrence, I spent the afternoon in Prospect Park with my friend Jamie and this little guy, who is staying with us for awhile.
I wanted to bring BLT sandwiches but didn't think they would travel well, so I decided to incorporate the flavors into a pasta salad. (Plus a few extra summery ingredients like basil and corn, and some goat cheese because...well, I like goat cheese.)

Bowties and fusilli seemed a little corny, so I picked up a box of dried orecchiette instead. While the pasta boiled, I crisped up some diced bacon, then removed it from the pan and sauteed the corn in the bacon fat. I tossed the bacon and corn into the pasta with a handful of chopped tomatoes, some basil, goat cheese, and a handful of arugula--for the "lettuce."

I wasn't really hungry when we got to the park, but one bite of pasta turned into to several, and then I found myself going for a second bowl. Feeling full and happy, I sprawled out on the blanket, shut my eyes, and listened to the breeze in the trees above me. Which is what any good picnic will cause you to do.
BLT pasta
(Serves 4 to 6 people)
1 box
orecchiette
6 strips bacon, cut into 1/2-inch wide strips
2 ears corn kernels, removed from the cob
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 handful basil

2 handfuls arugula, torn into pieces
1/4 cup chevre, crumbled
salt and pepper

Cook the pasta according to the package's directions. While the pasta is cooking, fry your bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon and drain on a paper towel. Put the corn in the pan (in the still-hot bacon fat) and saute for a few minutes. Turn off the heat. Drain the pasta and add the corn and the bacon fat. Stir until combined. Add the cherry tomatoes, basil, and arugula and toss. Sprinkle in the chevre and toss gently. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot or at room temperature.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

your favorite white summer shirt --still hanging in there along with the cutoffs....you need a trip to
Anthropology soon :)

Lisa said...

Ha! You buying? ;)

Anonymous said...

sure if you drag me in there!

Daniel said...

How quickly I'm replaced! Hmpf.

Anonymous said...

I'll drag you into Tulipan when it's your turn, don't worry!

Unknown said...

Looks delicious! I gotta savor summer with this before fall sets in, which I have a feeling will happen soon.

blueeyedfreckle said...

yum. yum. yum. yum. I can't wait to try this one out. and that fried chicken. mmm I love fried chicken.

Lisa said...

Nikkilooch: My feelings exactly. It's already starting to turn here.

Blueeyedfreckle: Hi Katie! I hope you like it.

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