Cooking with Kids Recipe: Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Garlic

Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
and Garlic

Difficulty Level: Easy/Medium

Angel hair pasta cooks quickly, usually in 2 to 3 minutes, so stay in the kitchen and watch the clock! For this sauce you may use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (adding a little of the tomato oil to your olive oil).

Equipment: Colander, skillet, large pot, wooden spoon, measuring spoons.

Ingredients:

4 oz. dried angel hair pasta
2 large cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, cut into tiny pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
(plus a little "tomato oil" if you have any)
Ground black pepper (much nicer if you grind your own)
Grated Parmesan cheese—about 1/2 cup and
more for serving at the table

Start by bringing your pasta water to a boil. Use a large, deep kettle with lots of water (about 4 quarts). Bring the water to a full rolling boil, stir in the angel hair pasta, and boil it for 2 to 3 minutes. Place the colander in the sink. Using potholders or oven mitts, pick up the pot and bring it over to the sink. Pour the pasta and water into the colander—Remember: pour it away from you. Do not rinse the pasta with cold water.

Pour Away From You!
Next, in a medium nonstick skillet sauté (that means to fry gently in medium heat) the garlic for 2 minutes in the olive oil. Turn off the heat. Pour the cooked pasta into the skillet and add the tomatoes, black pepper and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together using two forks, and then serve. Pass additional cheese at the table.