Shelly's Recipe

PASTA WITH RICOTTA SALATA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Category: Pasta

2 cups ricotta salata cheese (see note below), crumbled
2 cups fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1 6-ounce can ripe black olives, coarsely chopped
3 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1 pound gemelli pasta, cooked and drained

In a large serving bowl, combine tomatoes, olives and basil. Mix thoroughly. Toss in the cooked pasta, crumbled cheese and olive oil, and stir until ingredients are mixed. Season with pepper to taste, and serve at room temperature or chilled.

About ricotta salata: It is an Italian goat's-milk cheese that can be found at Italian specialty or gourmet stores. Some supermarkets may even carry this in the specialty cheese section. If not available, crumbled feta cheese or diced, smoked mozzarella can be substituted.