Orecchiette with Salsa Cruda and Ricotta

Well, my cold has turned into a sinus infection, so I don't know when I'll be back to making dinner as 1) I feel horrible, and 2) nothing sounds good. Except a Sonic milkshake...I'd take one of those right now. Anyway, I was feeling better over the weekend and made dinner on Sunday night. Last night I went to Urgent Care, and we had Sonic for dinner.

This was the recipe from Gourmet magazine I had mentioned I was looking forward to making. There was a bit of a mishap because the magazine went missing when I went to make dinner on Sunday. Somehow it ended up behind our entertainment center. My guess is little two year old hands were at work there because I'm not in the habit of putting stuff back there.

Orecchiette with Salsa Cruda and Ricotta
1 medium shallot, minced
2 small garlic cloves, forced through a garlic press
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1-1/2 lbs tomatoes, chopped
1/4 tsp hot red-pepper flakes
1/3 cup chopped basil
1 lb dried orecchiette
3/4 cup ricotta (preferably fresh)
small basil leaves for garnish

Stir together all ingredients except pasta and ricotta in a large bowl with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Let stand, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook orecchiette in a pasta pot of boiling, salted water (3 Tbsp salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente.

Drain pasta and toss with tomato salsa. Season with salt and pepper and dollop with ricota.

*****

I couldn't find orecchiette when I was looking for pasta, so I used bow ties. I also forgot to add any salt to the pasta water or salsa mixture. I thought it could have used some salt, the husband thought it was fine. And instead of dolloping the ricotta on, I mixed it in with the pasta and salsa. I probably used more like a cup than 3/4 cup. We all really liked it--even the boy ate quite a bit! It's definitely something I'd make again...tasty and quick to come together!

My mom's coming to take the boy for the day, so hopefully after a day of resting and doing nothing, I'll be mostly back to normal and willing to make dinner tonight. But, no promises!