Tomato and Basil Pasta Salad

I love these long, hot days of Summer.
Relaxing, gardening, walking and cooking are all an essential part of summer holidays.
Hubby has been crabbing every day on the island.  Putting fresh bait in the crab traps and wading through the water in his waders to check them out at low tide.
This afternoon I was waiting on the bank watching as hubby picked up one trap, inspected it, restocked it with enticing bait and started wading out to deeper water.
He was about knee high when he unexpectedly went down on his backside in shock.  He clambered back up and started calling for " help ".  I called out to him " did you say help?"  He nodded and said "help" again.  Mindless of the mud flat I started towards him, he was agitated and thrashing by now...
Suddenly he lifted up a hand, triumphantly holding one crab claw and said "a crab grabbed the toe of my boot, I had to get him to let go".

He really did not know what was trying to pull him under, but will always recognise this in the future.
Incidentally the crab also punctured a hole in the boot of his rubber waders, luckily he has another pair.

After a day like that you need a simple dinner to prepare.

Hopefully when we check them again today we will catch a one armed crab.
(Please don't feel sorry for the crab, he would have torn a toe off hubby happily if he could get through his boot.)

There was no crab on the menu tonight so I made this simple fresh tomato pasta salad and served it with marinated fried chicken skewers, a lettuce based salad and crusty bread.

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Perfectly Simple Fresh Tomato Pasta Salad

Serves 6 - 8 as a side dish

500g dried Italian spiral pasta, or any other shape that you prefer

1 tablespoon water

6 big fresh tomatoes, or a large handful of cherry tomatoes

1/3 cup virgin olive oil

handful fresh basil

salt and pepper to taste

Bring  a large pan of water to the boil with the lid on.

When it is boiling add 1 tablespoon salt and stir.  Then pour in the pasta in a steady stream, stirring all the while.  Place wooden spoon over rim of pan, place lid over top and let water come back to a boil.    Put your timer on for 12 minutes.    When the water has returned to the boil remove the lid and occasionally stir while it is cooking.

In the meantime place the washed tomatoes on a chopping board and roughly dice  Finely chop the  basil.

Test the pasta after 12 minutes, it might need longer depending on the shape pasta used.  It should be cooked al dente,  just soft to the bite.

Remove and drain pasta, rinse with cold water in a colander.

Return pan to medium heat, add olive oil and tomatoes.  Cook for 3 minutes then toss the pasta over top and stir to combine.  Continue to cook for another 3 - 5 minutes until the tomato is wilted and the pasta is coated with tomato and oil.  Turn off heat, stir through the chopped basil, then season with salt and pepper.

Pour onto a serving plate.

This can be served hot or at room temperature.  It is also fresh the next day if stored overnight in the fridge.

Buon appetito, enjoy Merryn xx