Creamy Tomato Pasta

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, 1/4-inch dice
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves, or 1 tablespoon dried
• 1 zucchini diced
• 1 capsicum
• 1/2 head of broccoli
• 1 jar of store bought pasta sauce
• 1/4 cup of fresh cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• crushed pepper
• Pasta cooked al dente
• Whole basil leaves, for garnish
• Grated Parmesan, (optional)

Directions

In a 3-quart saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until soft and light golden brown. Add the thyme and the other vegetables, and cook 5 minutes more, until they are is quite soft. Add the sauce and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until as thick as hot cereal. Add the cream and mix it well.

When ready to eat, add the cooked pasta the mix. Garnish it with the Parmesan.

Bruschetta

INGREDIENTS

• 6 or 7 ripe tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 1 bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped.
• 1/4 cup of parmesan
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 baguette French bread or similar Italian bread
• 1/4 cup olive oil

METHOD

• Chop up the tomatoes, onions and pepper finely. Put the vegetables, garlic, 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, vinegar in a bowl and mix. Add the chopped basil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Turn on the oven to 450°F to preheat.
• Slice the baguette on a diagonal about 1/2 inch thick slices. Coat one side of each slice with olive oil using a pastry brush. Place on a cooking sheet. Once the oven has reached 450°F, place a tray of bread slices in the oven on the top rack. Toast for 5-6 minutes, until the bread just begins to turn golden brown.
• Align the bread on a serving platter, olive oil side up. Place some topping on each slice of bread and add the cheese and just put it in the oven for a minute so that the cheese can melt . If you top each slice with the tomatoes, do it right before serving or the bread may get soggy.